| Place of birth | Alexandria New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Licensed surveyor |
| Address | Fern Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Father, S H Cottam, Fern Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | 5th Field Company Army Engineers |
| Enlistment date | 3 September 1915 |
| Rank on enlistment | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit name | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/15/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 6 June 1916 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Australian Flying Corps |
| Fate | Returned to Australia 6 May 1919 |
