William Potterton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Potterton was the second son of Richard and Selina Potterton (née Barker). His father Richard Potterton was born in Walcot, Lincolnshire, and his mother Selina Barker in Lound, Nottinghamshire. His parents were married at Sutton cum Lound St Bartholomew on 1 December 1874 and had seven children one of whom, Louisa, died in infancy. All the children were born in Lound and baptised at St Bartholomew: John Thomas b. 1875; Mary Jane b. 1877; Betsy Ann b. 1880; William birth registered 1882 (J/F/M); Louisa b. 1885 d. 1886 (reg. J/F/M); Annie Selina birth registered 1887 (J/F/M) and George Albert b. 1890. In 1881, seven years after their marriage, Richard (31) an agricultural labourer, and Selina (24) were living in Lound with their three children, John (5), Mary (3) and Betsy (1). Also in the home was Selina's widowed maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Barker (83). The fourth child, Louisa, was born four years later in 1885 but died the following year. The family was living on Colgraves Row, Lound, by 1891; all six surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: John working for a fork manufacturer, Mary a domestic servant, Betsy, William (9), Annie (4) and George (under 1 year). Richard and Selina were still living in Lound ten years later, but now on Village Street. Only two children, Annie and George, were still living at home but Richard's brother, William Potterton (56) single, also an agricultural labourer, was recorded as a visitor. Their son William was in lodgings in Attercliffe, Sheffield, and working in industry. Richard Potterton died in 1910. His widow Selina was still living in Lound when the 1911 Census was recorded. Also in the home were Selina's unmarried sister, Mary Ann Barker, and Selina's grandson, John William Jow), Betsy's son. Selina died in 1931 (A/M/J Doncaster). William married Louisa Burley (b. 1892) in 1913. They had two sons, Richard Edward b. 1913 and John Thomas b. 1915. Louisa had had a son before her marriage, George William Burley b. 1911, who was recognised by the Army as one of William's three dependent children. The family lived in Lound near Retford. Louisa died in 1976.
William enlisted in Retford on 11th January 1916 and served with the 72nd battery 38 Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on 19th October 1917. William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. William qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Retford Times 23rd November 1917: 'Gunner W Potterton RFA. Lound Soldier Killed 'Gunner W Potterton, of the Royal Field Artillery, second son of the late Mr Richard Potterton, of Lound, has made the great sacrifice. He was killed in France on October 19th., previous to joining the Colours he was employed by Mr J E Fielding of Lound and joined up on January 11th 1916. Deceased who was in his 36th year leaves a widow and three young children to mourn his loss. Much sympathy is felt with the widow and family in their sad bereavement.' The above report was also published in the Retford & Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 27 November 1917. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: Louisa Potterton widow res. Retford. George Wm Burley Potterton, Richard Edward Potterton, John Thomas Potterton, all res. Retford.
