THOMAS JOSEPH POTTER
Images and information courtesy of Rachel.
Born: 1887, Ipswich.
Died: 4th June 1915; age 27; KiA – Dardanelles. Third Battle of Krithia
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 1152
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.
Turkey,
(including Gallipoli).
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William & Sarah Potter.
CENSUS
1891 22, Currier’s Lane, Ipswich.
Thomas was 3 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
William Isaac Potter, 30, a Timber Merchant’s Carter, born Ipswich.
Sarah Potter (nee Jackaman), 28, born Wetheringsett, Suffolk.
George William Potter, 7, born Ipswich.
Edith Annie Potter, 5, born Ipswich.
1901 19, Cardinal Street, Ipswich.
Thomas was 13 years old, an Earthenware Stock Keeper. He was living with his parents & siblings.
William, 40, a Timber Stacker.
Sarah, 38.
George, 16, a French Polisher.
Edith, 15.
1911 India.
Thomas was 24 years old, a Soldier ranked Private for the 1st Battalion, of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
Thomas’s father, William Potter died 1904, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Edith Ball – sister.
Dated 1914. (Egypt)
1152. Prv.T.Potter
‘A’ Coy
1st Lancashire Fusiliers
86th Infantry brigade
29th Division
Expeditionary Force
Thomas wrote home to his landlady Mrs. Hicks, who in turn wrote to his sister Mrs. Edith Ball:
26.Midland Rd
Nuneaton
6.4.15
Page 1.
Dear Mrs Ball,
I am writing to let you know that Your Brother Tom has left Nuneaton, they have gone to the Dardanelles, we have heard from him and he asked us to write to you, and let you have his address which we enclosed we have also enclosed his Photo. He was a dear Fellow, and we miss him
Page 2.
very much, we shall be pleased when the war is over & he is back again, but I am sure he will take care of himself & come out with flying colours. We had an awful job to get him to have his photo taken. I am sure you will like it as it’s a splendid picture of him. If you should like any more we can get them for you.
Hoping this will find
Page 3.
You in the best of health & accept our very best wishes. We are
Yours Sincerely
Edith & Frederick Hicks.
The Gallipoli Campaign (Dardanelles Campaign) 17th February 1915 – 9th January 1916
The aims of the Campaign were the capturing the Ottoman Empire capital Constantinople and the opening up of a new front taking German and Turkish forces away from Europe and North Africa providing a better sea route rout to Russia and the Black sea. The campaign was an Anglo-French task force but is better known for the contribution and fierce fighting from the Commonwealth forces from Australian and New Zealand force the “ANZAC” (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). The Campaign was to fail due to poor mapping and planning. The forces landing on beaches with steep cliffs and soon became bogged down with trench warfare, disease and supply routes hampered by the enemy. Evacuating in January 1916
It is estimated that over 50,000 British and commonwealth dead and over 100,000 wounded sustained from the campaign.
4th June 1915 The Third Battle of Krithia was fought on the Gallipoli peninsula, the main objective was to gain land and height in an attempt to consolidate the beach head and to protect the 78 Howitzer Guns at Helles on Anzac cove which were now low on ammunition relying on naval support for supply and protection.
The 1st Battalion attached to 29th Indian Infantry Brigade held by now a well-established trench system facing the Turkish line which too had developed into an organized trench pattern. The 4th of June was a bright sunny day, orders for the attack had been given with weeks of planning for a 6 day offensive to start, for an eight hundred yard advance. All five of the Lancashire Fusiliers Battalions at Gallipoli were to take part in the attack the 1st Battalion taking part on only the first day.
Their first objective was to cross no man’s land from Gurkha Bluff into “J 10” Turkish trench system then “J 11” as the second objective. A heavy bombardment from shore and at sea proved not to be sufficient. The counter bombardment from the Turkish caused more British casualties. At 12:00hrs the men were given the order to go over the top, many men being hit as soon as they reached their on parapet of the British trench. Most men only managed to advance 30-70 yards being held up by accurate machine gun and rifle fire. Mines had been exploded as they made the advance causing many casualties. “D” company led by Captain H. R. Clayton reached the Turkish line but was killed his body being found two months later on the Turkish barbed wire. Gorse fires were started from the mines causing much confusion. No headway was made and throughout the day and night heavy Turkish machine gun and artillery fire held back any advance. The Battalion was relieved on the 6th of June 14 officers and 500 men had been killed or wounded.
We have found 3 Ipswich men who are remembered on the Ipswich War memorial from the 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers, all served in India together before the war and we believe if not friends, were known to each other being of the same age group and all from Ipswich. All died on the same day in the same action.
A 4th Ipswich man being Percy Hugh Willoughby age 32 who died wounds on the 5th July of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.
ALFRED JOHN AUSTIN 4th June 1915
Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
Age 29
Herbert William Scoggins
Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
Age 30
One Comment
Thomas Joseph Potter was my Great Uncle. His sister Edith Annie Potter was my paternal Grandmother.I hold his medals and memorabilia.The one thing I do not have is a photograph…does anyone have any ideas how I could find one?