On the 14th November, 1919, at Novorossisk, South Russia, an ammunition dump exploded, setting fire to the SS War Pike, which was carrying a cargo of munitions, including shells.
Cotton was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1919 and awarded the French Croix de guerre[REF] with Palms and the Belgian Croix de guerre [REF].