ALBERT CHARLES POTKINS

Born: 1912, Ipswich.

Died: 1st September 1943; age: 31; Japanese POW – Thailand – Burma Railway.

Captured: 15th February 1942.

Residence: 27, Gloucester Road, pswich.

Employed: at Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 5833093.

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion – Infantry.

Grave Reference:

Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery,

Thanbyuzayat,

Mon State,

Myanmar.

Image courtesy of Kevin Knights.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of George William & Mary Potkins, of Ipswich.

Father: George William Potkins, December 1870, Caxton, Cambridgeshire.

Mother: Mary Potkins (nee Fox), born January 1871, Debenham, Suffolk.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939

Albert was a Timber Yard Labourer. He was living with his parents & siblings.

George, a Corporation General Labourer.

Mary, unpaid Domestic Duties.

George William Potkins, a Permanent Way labourer, born December 1899, Ipswich.

Arthur Potkins, a Plate Pattern Iron Moulder, born July 1903, Ipswich.

Alfred Potkins, a Corporation General Labourer, born August 1905, Ipswich.

Stanley Francis Potkins, a C/Hand Inspector – Iron Fittings, born February 1915, Ipswich.

Albert is also remembered by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies with entrance gates, dedicated in May 1958, at Ransomes Sports’ Centre, Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich.

4th and 5th Battalions:
The Battalions were attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.
15 February 1942: After the fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken PoW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment