Name
Frank Joseph Potton
11 October 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/10/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
59537
Royal Fusiliers *1
3rd (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ROISEL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
I. C. 14.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Ashwell Village Memorial, St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Ashwell
Pre War
Frank Joseph Potton was born on 11 October 1898 in Ashwell, Herts, the son of David and Clara Potton. He was one of seven children, but sadly five had died by 1911, leaving only Frank and his brother Thomas. He was baptised on 4 December 1898 in Ashwell.
He was educated at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell and on the 1901 Census the family were living at Spring Head, Ashwell, where his father was a shepherd on a farm. They remained in Ashwell in 1911 but had moved to Ferndale, High Street, Ashwell. They later lived at Recreation Cottages, Ashwell.
Before joining the Army he had been employed by Bailey & Co. and Mr. Thomas Wylie of Bear Farm.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hitchin on 15 February 1917and joined the Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment), initially with the training Battalion under reg. no. TR/9/1838, later transferring to the 3rd Battalion.
Frank was wounded in action on 17 October 1918 and died at 53th Casualty Clearing Station two days later, aged 20. He is buried in Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £7 10s and pay owing of £16 18s 1d. She also received a pension of 5 shillings a week.
After his death his parents named their house Roisel after the place where Frank is buried.
*1 (City of London) Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers).
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, www.ashwellmuseum.org.uk
