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“Tibby” Cotter is regarded a possibly the best fast bowler of the first decade of the 20th century. His pace, and habit of frequently breaking the stumps and occasionally the batsmen, earned him the nickname of “Terror” Cotter in England.

He joined the AIF in 1915 and served at Gallpoli with the 12th Light Horse. In 1917, he was shot and killed at Beersheba probably by a Turk who had surrendered but not given up his weapon.

Glebe Connection

Tibby Cotter (Public Domain photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Tibby Cotter (Public Domain photo via Wikimedia Commons)

When Tibby Cotter was born, his parents lived in Phillip Street, Sydney. They moved to 98 Bridge Road, Glebe when he was 6. Two years later, the Cotters moved to “Monteith” at 266 Glebe Point Road, a building now classified by the National Trust.  Cotter Lane, so named by 1911, borders the property.

He was educated at Forest Lodge Primary School and Sydney Grammar School.

As a cricketer, he changed the game forever by being the first bowler to use the bouncer as a regular means of intimidation and by introducing the slips cordon. He was also an accomplished batsman. In one grade match for Glebe, he scored 152 runs, including 16 sixes, in just 70 minutes.

Tibby Cotter was also a fine Rugby footballer, playing as a three-quarter with the Glebe Dirty Reds.

As a soldier, he received a commendation for “fine work under heavy fire” but refused promotion, choosing to serve as a stretcher bearer.

He was acting as a stretcher bearer when he was shot at Beersheba. He died on 31 October 1917, just 30 days after his brother, John, had been killed at Ypres. Tibby had four other brothers, two of whom also died violent deaths.

More information

“Tibby Cotter: Fast Bowler, Larrikin, ANZAC” by Max Bonnell and Andrew Sprout (Walla Walla Press, 2012)

Posted on 17 April 2013 by Peter Thorogood

For more information email: heritage@glebesociety.org.au

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