William Herbert Potter

Sergeant

Army Service Corps S/4 147077  
Royal Army Flying Corps & RAF
 P147084  

Photo Lea Mills postcard

William Herbert Potter in Ww1

Notes
William Herbert Potter was one of the first entrants into the R.A.F., which was formed on 1st April 1918 amalgamating the Royal Flying Corp and the Royal Navy Air Service. However, W.H. Potter left Lea Mills to serve in the forces on 12th November 1916. He had worked in the Spinning Section of the Mill. When he first joined the military, he was sent to the Army Service Corp. Pte W.H. Potter No S/4/147084, 57th Field Bakery Section, A.S.C.
He left with his friend Noel Lowe, who had a similar initial posting. Newspaper reports before the war indicate their friendship (see below).

On 21st December 1915, he wrote to the Vicar and there is an extract in the Parish Magazine that describes his early experiences.
‘We have just finished building 40 Field Ovens. Each will hold 64 two-pound loaves. We shall heat the ovens twice a day, so you see a fair amount of bread is turned out.’
On 21 March 1916, he reported visiting ‘some very beautiful Churches, including Amesbury, Bulford and Durrington. At Amesbury, I saw the oak screen, which the Rev F Windley (the former vicar of Dethick, Lea and Holloway) found in the stables of one of the hotels there. At Bulford the Choir is composed of both sexes, and is a surpliced Choir.’
He was still with the Field Bakery in June 1916. However, when acknowledging the receipt of parcels from the Company in December 1916, he reported his transfer to the Royal Flying Corp. He had received his transfer on 25th October 1916 and was sent to Edinburgh in November. He was then 2nd A.M. William Herbert Potter at the Scottish School of Fitters. He was receiving instruction in different types of aeroplane engines. He expected to be sent to a flight or squadron working on aeroplanes.
His promotion was swift. By January 1918, he was a Corporal and, by September 1918, he was in the Sergeants’ Mess at No1 Flying School, R.A.F. Turnberry in Ayrshire. He was very busy, especially when the weather was favourable and he described Turnberry as "a kind of finishing school before pilots are sent overseas" He was in charge of both men and machines.
In January 1918, while on short home leave, he met his brother, Harold Potter, who was serving in the navy. He had also served since November 1915 on a variety of ships, among them HMS Earl of Peterborough, HMS Powerful and HMS Duncan.
William Herbert Potter returned to Lea Mills shortly after the Armistice but then left for other employment.

Medal Card Index
No record found

Newspaper Reports

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald 8 February 1911
On Saturday Willie Potter, Bert and Noel Lowe, of Holloway, had a somewhat unfortunate experience. They journeyed to Derby on their cycles, and upon their return a dense fog was encountered. Taking a wrong turn when approaching Allestree, Willie Potter struck the kerb of the footpath, and was pitched on his face into the wall. His forehead and nose were cut and he was badly bruised the other side of his face. Bert and Noel rendered all possible assistance, and a near residence was approached, where they were treated kindly. The injured youth found it necessary to stay the night, while the other two completed their journey at half past three on Sunday morning. The injured cyclist was able to cycle home by daylight on Sunday.

Derbyshire Courier 21st of March 1914
On Monday a lantern lecture entitled “Round our Mission Fields” was given in the Mount Tabor Church, Cromford. There was a good attendance, Mr Noel Lowe of Holloway gave the readings, and Mr W Potter (Holloway) manipulated the lantern. The slides illustrated scenes in East and West Africa and North, South, and South-West China. Mr T Bolden presided over a splendid attendance.

Letters to JB Marsden-Smedley

[Headed notepaper The Boys' Brigade Y.M.C.A. Rest Hut]
P147084   2nd A. M., R.F.C., Scottish School of Fitters, 14 Picardy Place, Edinburgh
Dec 18th 1916
To Messrs. J.B. Marsden-Smedley & A. S. Marsden-Smedley
Dear Sirs
I wish to thank you, most sincerely for the splendid parcel I received to-day.
I have already sampled it, for at present we are not over rationed.
I got my transfer to the Royal Flying Corps on Oct 25th & came to Edinburgh in November.  I am having a course of instruction at present, on the different types of Aeroplane Engines, and in a few weeks now, I am expecting to be sent to a flight or squadron, to get into the actual working of aeroplanes.
With every wish for the success of the mill, through these trying times.
Yours Truly
W.H. Potter

Holloway, Matlock
Jany 24th/18
To Messrs. J.B. Marsden-Smedley Co. Ltd.
Dear Sirs
I wish to thank you for the parcel received at Ayr on Jany 23rd.  I have not yet sampled its contents, as I came home on a short leave the same night, to see my brother who is home from the Adriatic Sea where he is stationed on a British monitor assisting the Station Fleet.  But I hope to have the pleasure of the contents when I return.
Again wishing the firm all success & prosperity in the coming year.
I remain yours respectfully
WH Potter
Corporal R.F.C.

Sergeants Mess, No. 1 Fighting School, R.A.F., Turnberry, Ayrshire
20/9/18
To Messrs. Smedley,
Dear Sirs
Your parcel safely to hand, for which please accept my heartiest thanks. 
Also I wish to apologize for my delay in acknowledging your kindness.  But since receiving the parcel on the 19th I have had very little chance of writing.
I am still stationed in home fields, and going on as well as can be expected.
We get plenty of work here when the weather permits as this is a kind of finishing school before pilots are sent overseas.
I am in charge of a flight of machines and men, and the machines are a type which have done, and are doing great work over in France.  Again thanking you for your kindness and wishing you every success in the future.
I am sirs
Your Very Truly
WH Potter

 

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Commonside Holloway

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Herbert Potter Head 33 Merino warehouseman Matlock
Rhoda Potter wife 33 Hosiery machinist Tansley
Nellie Potter daughter 13   Tansley
William Potter son 11   Tansley
Bertha Potter daughter 7   Tansley
Sarah L Potter daughter 5   Tansley
Flora Potter daughter 3   Holloway
Harold Potter son 10 mo   Holloway

RG13 piece 3235 folio 60 page 8

1911: Holloway

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Herbert Potter Head 43 Hosiery warehouseman Matlock
Rhoda Potter wife 43   Tansley
Wm Herbert Potter son 21 Under spinner hosiery Riber
Bertha Potter daughter 17 Hosiery work Tansley
Sarah Louisa Potter daughter 15 Hosiery sewing machine Tansley
Flora Potter daughter 13 Cotton reeler Holloway
Harold Potter son 10 School Holloway
Percy Boden Potter son 8 School Holloway

RG14PN21012 RG78PN1253 RD436 SD6 ED10 SN157