No.320799, Corporal, Harold Robert Edgar POTTER
Aged 20
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Harold Robert Edgar POTTER was born at 122 Withersfield Road, Haverhill on 29th September 1896 (Risbridge Q4-1896 4A:755), and baptised
in St. Mary's, Haverhill on 7th November 1896, son of Robert and Lillian M POTTER (née BODDY)
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at 122 Withersfield Road, Haverhill with his father Robert POTTER [48] school teacher born Paddington; his mother Lillian M [34], born Paddington; brother John W [3] and sister Dorothy L.M. [1] both born Haverhill; widowed grandmother Mary BODDY [70] born Lambeth. 1911 census...Aged 14, he was at 14 High Street, Haverhill with his parents; brothers John Wallis, George [6] and Edmund Francis [3]; sister Dorothy Lilian Mary; grandmother Mary BODDY. There had been another brother, Albert Edward, who died soon after birth in 1902. At some time between 1911 and Harold’s enlistment in September 1914 at the age of 18, his parents moved to Wood Green, London. It was here that Harold volunteered, joining “C” Company 2nd/6th Battalion, The London Regiment (City of London Rifles) Service No. 2466, later to be No. 320700. The pension card has his father at 34 Barrington Road, SW9, but on the death of his father, his mother moved to 120 Chaldon Way, Coulsdon, Surrey |
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He enlisted in London when living in Wood Green. The war diary has them near Bullecourt on the 21st, coming up from Mory:- "21/5 - Attack made on BOVIS TRENCH early in the morning. Our troops gained objective but were forced to withdraw by a hostile counter- attack. Battalion relieved by 2/7th London Regt at night. Casualties during tour of trenches 13 officers and 226 OR. Battn moved to ECOUST with one company on Vaulx-Vraucourt Road." CWGC figure just for 21st show 81 killed, only one with a known grave. All figures must be viewed in the knowledge that many deaths were assumed on various days |
photo: Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details