POTTER, Cyril Christopher


No.2654838, Company Sergeant Major, Cyril Christopher POTTER
Aged 33


2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
Killed in Action on Thursday, 4th March 1943


Cyril Christopher POTTER was born in West Wickham (Linton Q4-1909 3B:425), son of Walter and Adelaide Ann POTTER (née BARBER).

1911 census...Aged 1, he was at The Brickyard, West Wickham with his father Walter POTTER [30] farm labourer born Weston Colville; his mother Adelaide [39] born West Wickham; sisters Priscilla [9] and Maud [6] both born West Wratting; brother Harold [4] born West Wickham; cousins Kitty BROWN [12] and Constance BROWN [10] borh born in Haverhill.

He married Olive Elizabeth SIMKIN Q1-1934 in Paddington, later of Shepperton, Middlesex.

His wife is not identified in the 1936 register, but his parents were at 4 Council Houses, Burton End. Father [17-6-1881] a roadman, mother [16-5-1871], their daughter in law Alice POTTER [8-1-1916]and 2 children (refugees ?) Eric W KIDSON [29-4-1930] and Jack KIDSON [14-11-1932]


The 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards were in the 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) part of 78th Division until March 15th 1943.
Part of the battle of Kasserine Pass, the Battalion mounted mobile defensive operations without respite north of Medjez and in the Sedjenane area on the northern approach to Tunis.
War Diary:- Mar 4th.
1200. Bn in position 2.5 miles W of SEDJENANE The column was machine gunned en route.1800. 139 Bde completed its withdrawal through the Bn.

CWGC has 9 of the 2nd Coldstream Guards killed that day.


photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Cyril Potter is buried in Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia, grave 11:D:10
He was originally buried at Beja Town Cemetery, re-buried in July 1944 at Medjez el Bab

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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