Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Cotton, a shoe trade finisher, born 1863 in Hinckley, Leics., and his late wife Amelia Cotton, (nee Jones), born 1868 and died in 1891. George Henry, a schoolboy, was born in 1887 in Burbage, Leics., his siblings were, Edward, born 1889 and Sara, born 1891, the latter two siblings were both born in Hinckley, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at 7, Cork Hole, Hinckley, Leics. In March 1901 George was employed as a hosiery trade machinist and was residing in the family home of his grandparents, John Cotton, a framework knitter, born 1839 in Hinckley, Leics., and his wife Jane, born 1838 in Hinckley, Leics., at 7, Waterloo Square, Hinckley, Leics. In April 1911 George was employed as a carpenter, and was residing in the family home of his grandparents at 7, Waterloo Square, Hinckley, Leics. His father Thomas later resided at Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics. In the first quarter of 1913, George married Florence E. Garratt in the Atherstone, Warwickshire registration district. In the third quarter of 1921 George’s widow Florence married Francis H. Court in the Atherstone, Warwickshire registration district, they resided at The Laurels, New Street, Baddesley Ensor, Atherstone, Warwks.