In memoriam

Private Hugh Potter

 

 

Hugh Potter was born on 29 September 1896 at 8 Moore Street, Belfast, the ninth of ten children of labourer Hugh Potter and his wife Sarah (née Wilson). His father died when he was just two years old as a result of pulmonary tuberculosis. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 108 Woodstock Road, Belfast, with his mother and five of his six surviving siblings, and working as an office boy.

Potter enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Belfast on 31 August 1915 (No. UD/286). He gave his address as 108 Woodstock Road and his occupation as a clerk. On 6 October the squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division, embarked for France. Potter, however, remained at the regimental depot at Enniskillen.

In December 1916, while serving with the squadron at Enniskillen, Potter fell ill with a "severe cold with cough, result of a wetting". His condition rapidly worsened, a medical board held on 30 April 1917 reporting that he had contracted pulmonary tuberculosis while in the army, and that he was totally and permanently incapacitated. He was discharged, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392(xvi), King's Regulations) on 21 May 1917. His military character was recorded as 'very good'.

His condition worsened after his discharge and he died at home on 2 July 1918, aged 21.

The fact that Potter qualified for commemoration as a casualty of the war was overlooked at the time, but in 2016 his case was recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. As his place of burial is presently unknown, his name is recorded on Panel 9 of the Brookwood 1914-1918 Memorial, Surrey, England.

 

 

Image kindly provided by Steve Rogers, Project Co-ordinator of The War Graves Photographic Project.

 

This page last updated 7 July 2023.