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Aug 2, 1896
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Born in Birmingham, England to
Charles Henry and Mary (nee Laffin) Potts
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Dec 20, 1905
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His mother, Mary, passed away
in Lancashire from Typhoid Fever.
James Potts was later placed in the care of the Styal Cottage Homes
where he was cared for by the Chorlton Board of Guardians.
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Apr 4, 1907
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Embarked the SS Tunisian in
Liverpool as a Home Child
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Apr 13, 1907
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova
Scotia and proceeded to Belleville, Ontario where he was placed in the care
of the Marchmont Home
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Jun 1, 1911
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The 1911 Census shows him
living with the Juby family in Sidney Township, north of Belleville, Ontario
and listed as a Servant
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Aug 30, 1914
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Shown on the pay roll of the 2nd
Battery, 1st Brigade, CFA (Canadian Field Artillery)
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Sep 22, 1914
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Attested into the 2nd
Battery, 1st Brigade, CFA in Valcartier, Quebec
Ø Number 40478
Ø Next of kin given
as Mrs. M. Potter, mother, (this was in fact his aunt) Birmingham, England
Ø Previous occupation
given as Fireman with the Grand Trunk Railway
Ø Previous military
experience given as 2 years with the 34th Battery, CFA
Ø Religion given as
Wesleyan
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Sep 27, 1914
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Embarked the SS Saxonia at
Quebec City
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Oct 19, 1914
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Disembarked at Devonport
England and was posted to the CARD (Canadian Artillery Regimental Depot)
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Feb 2, 1915
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Transferred to the 2nd
Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
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Feb 11, 1915
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The 2nd Battery
disembarked at St. Nazaire, France and boarded trains the same day to proceed
to the north of France
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Mar 1, 1916
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Sentenced to 14 days Field
Punishment No. 1 for being drunk
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May 24, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 2 Canadian
Stationary Hospital in Outreau, France with a bullet wound to his ankle
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May 29, 1916
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship Newhaven
On arrival in England he was
admitted to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield
Posted to the CCAC (Canadian
Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Jul 13, 1916
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Transferred to the King’s
Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Bushey Park
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Jul 15, 1916
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Transferred to the West London
Hospital in London when he developed acute appendicitis and surgery was
performed the same day to remove his appendix
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Sep 18, 1916
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Transferred to the 4th
London General Hospital
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Sep 21, 1916
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Oct 25, 1916
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Discharged to duty from
hospital
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Oct 27, 1916
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Attached to the 1st
Composite Training Battalion in Hastings for duty
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Dec 4, 1916
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Posted to the 1st
Composite Training Battalion in Hastings for full duty
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Shown here
with his wound stripe
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Feb 14, 1917
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James Potts received a commission
as a Lieutenant and was posted to the 15th Reserve Battalion
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Feb 18, 1917
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Admitted to the 2nd
CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) with complications from his ankle wound
Posted to the CCAC while in
hospital
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Feb 19, 1917
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Discharged from the
convalescent hospital and transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion
in Seaford
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Feb 20, 1917
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Granted leave until March 6,
1917
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Mar 10, 1917
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Posted to the CARD (Canadian
Artillery Regimental Depot) while in hospital
This was later cancelled
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Apr 14, 1917
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Qualified 2nd Class
at the Canadian Trench Warfare School in Crowborough
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May 14, 1917
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Transferred to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Jun 5, 1917
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Transferred to the EORD
(Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) and attached to the RFC (Royal Flying
Corps) in Reading for duty
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Nov 16, 1917
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Rejoined the EORD from duty
with the RFC
Posted to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Nov 27, 1917
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Nov 28, 1917
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD
(Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 313
reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Dec 3, 1917
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After leaving the base depot,
Lieutenant Potts joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in
Calonne Ricouart, France
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Mar 4, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave
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Mar 22, 1918
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in billets in Gouy-Servins, France
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Jun 9, 1918
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While out on a work party with
the 4th CIB (Canadian Infantry Brigade), Lieutenant Potts was admitted
to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads
Inguinal Adenitis (swollen glands) and transferred the same day to the No. 19
CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment
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Jun 12, 1918
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Transported via No. 35 AT
(Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Red Cross Hospital in
Rouen then transferred to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport
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Jun 22, 1918
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Discharged to duty with the
base depot in Etaples from hospital
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Jul 3, 1918
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After leaving the base depot
he joined the reinforcement camp in Aubin St. Vaast
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Jul 17, 1918
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After leaving the
reinforcement camp Lieutenant Potts rejoined the 21st Battalion in
Brigade Reserve at Wanquetin, France and was assigned to command No. 6
Platoon of “B” Company
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Aug 8, 1918
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During the battalion’s advance
on the town of Marcelcave, severe resistance was encountered. While attacking an enemy machine gun post,
Lieutenant Potts received a bullet wound to his head and he was evacuated to
the No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wound. He was later buried in the Crouy British
Cemetery, Crouy-Saint-Pierre, France
Following the war, the 1914-15
Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his aunt, Mrs. M.A.
Jackson, 87 Radnor St., Hulme, Manchester, England
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny)
and Scroll were sent to his father, Charles Potts, 16 New Thomas St., Brindle
Heath, Pendleton, England
There was no Memorial Cross
issued as his mother had predeceased him
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From
the 21st Battalion’s War Diary
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