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Aug 6, 1883
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Born in Freemantle, West Australia to William and
Ellen (nee Steel) Potts
On attesting he stated he was born in Freemantle,
but after the war ended, he claimed to have been born in Wolverhampton,
England
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Oct 26, 1907
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Married to Aurillia “Rillie” McAvoy in Port Hope,
Ontario
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Nov 6, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59808 (temporary number 1070)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. William Potts, Hope St., Port Hope,
Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Iron Moulder
Ø Previous military experience given as 3 years in the 4th
Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment with service in the Boer War in South
Africa and the Royal Navy
Ø Religion given as Church of England
Ø Posted to “G” Company
o This was later reorganized into “D” Company
The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario
area through the winter of 1914-15.
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue
training
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Jun 6, 1915
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Attached to the Military Police for duty
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Jul 15, 1915
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Transferred to the Headquarters Staff, 4th
Canadian Infantry Brigade to be employed with the MMP (Mounted Military
Police)
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Aug 14, 1915
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Transferred to the 2nd Canadian
Division Headquarters with the Mounted Military Police
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the SS Queen in Queen in Folkstone with
the Division Headquarters
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France at 3:00 am and
the division proceeded to St. Omer
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May 18, 1916
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal
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Oct 15, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field
Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis). He was transferred the same day to the No.
22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)
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Oct 23, 1916
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Transferred via the No. 29 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples
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Oct 27, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 39 General Hospital in
Havre
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Dec 13, 1916
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Discharged to duty from hospital
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Dec 14, 1916
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Discharged from hospital and reported to the CBD
(Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France
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Dec 20, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, Sergeant Potts rejoined
the 2nd Division Headquarters in Barlin, France
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Aug 2, 1917
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Transferred to the CCMP (Canadian Corps Military
Police) and remained attached to the 2nd Canadian Division
Headquarters
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Aug 3, 1917
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Transferred to the CMP (Canadian Military Police)
and remained attached to the 2nd Canadian Division Headquarters
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Oct 30, 1917
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Admitted to the No. 14 CFA (Canadian Field
Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Varicose Veins. He was discharged to duty the same day
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Apr 25, 1918
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Promoted to the rank of Sergeant
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Apr 7, 1919
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Transferred to “P” Wing in Witley pending return
to Canada
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Apr 16, 1919
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Transferred to the Records List at the CCC
(Canadian Concentration Camp) in Witley
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Apr 19, 1919
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Staff Sergeant
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Apr 22, 1919
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Transferred to the 2nd Division Pool
pending return to Canada
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May 5, 1919
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Transferred to the APM (Assistant Provost
Martial) in Witley
Promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant
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May 20, 1919
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Transferred to the Canadian Corps Military Police
in Witley for duty
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May 22, 1919
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Transferred to Canadian Concentration Camp in
Witley and posted to “M” Wing, pending return to Canada
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May 27, 1919
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Transferred to the 11th Battalion CEF
for return to Canada
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Jun 6, 1919
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Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton
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Jun 13, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to Montreal, Quebec where he was Taken On Strength District Depot No. 4
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Jun 16, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec
Ø Rank on discharge Sergeant
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 274312
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge Port Hope, Ontario
Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star,
British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Port Hope, Ontario
At the outbreak of World War II, William Potts
volunteered with the RCOC (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps) and served in
England and Scotland until his discharge in 1944 with the rank of Sergeant
Major.
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