Walter Potts

Forename(s):
Walter

Surname:
Potts

Initial(s):
W

Service Number:
40705

Rank:
Private

Regiment:
Northamptonshire Regiment, 1st Battalion

Died:
24/09/1918

Aged:
29

Buried:
Berthaucourt Communal Cemetery, Pontru

Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.

Background:
Born 1889 at Powburn, Northumberland, the son of Thomas (b.1847 at Glanton) & Agnes (b.1851 at Wooler) Potts, who lived at North Field, Glanton at the time of their sonÂ’s death.

Potts was the sixth child of Thomas & Agnes. He had four older brothers: James (b. 1872); William (b. 1878); Thomas (b.1880); & Edward (b.1886), also an older sister Margaret Jane (b.1883), all born at Powburn.

In 1891 Thomas Snr. was a Farmer & General Cartman, as was his son James. When the 1901 Census was taken, William & Thomas Jnr. were not at the family home. Edward was working as an Assistant Grocer at the local Co-op; Margaret had no occupation; & Potts was still a scholar. The family were living at Low Powburn.

Andrew Thompson, who was killed on 29 September 1916, lived next door to the family.

In 1911 the family were living at North Field, Glanton, where Thomas had been born. Brothers James & William were working on the Family Farm. Thomas Jnr., Edward & Potts were all Railway Clerks & they had a live-in servant, Elizabeth Woods, from Wellhope, Edlingham, Northumberland.

Pre-enlistment occupation: Farmer.

Potts married Jane Ann Drummond of The Common, Wooler, at the end of 1916.

England & Wales Probate records show-: 'Walter Potts of Northfield, Glanton, Farmer. Probate granted at Newcastle on 10 December 1918 to James Jeffery Potts, Carter, & Thomas Anderson, Shepherd. Effects £1,389-4s-11d'.

Local Memorial:
Branton, Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour Glanton, United Reform Church (Source: For Glanton URC, newmp.org.uk) Ingram, Memorial Plaque in St. Michael & All Angels' Church Whittingham, Roll of Honour in St. BartholomewÂ’s Church Whittingham & Callal