Ralph Potts

Ralph was the son of Thomas and Jane Laborne Potts nee Thomas. Thomas was born about 1860 in Nottingham, and Jane was born about 1866 in Acton, London. They were married in Nottingham in 1883 (Jul/Aug/Sep) and had at least eight children; Harriet Grace/Grace Harriet (b. 6 December 1883), Frederick Thomas (b. abt 1886), Ralph (b. 24 September 1891), William Edward (b. 1893), George Samuel (b. 7 December 1894), Robert (b. 30 April 1897), Alban Philip (b. 8 May 1900) and Doris (b. abt 1903). In 1891 Thomas (32) and Jane (24) were living in Sneinton with their two children, Harriet (7) and Frederick (4). Thomas was a general labourer and Jane a cotton cleaner. By 1901 they were living at 2 South Street, Sneinton, and six children were at home on the night of the census; Harriet, Frederick, Ralph (9), William (7), George (6), Robert (3) and Alban (10 months). By the time of the 1911 census Ralph had been serving in the Royal Navy for nearly 12 months. His parents and several of his siblings have not been traced on this census, but at the time of Ralph's death in 1916 the family was living at 1 Hermitage Row, Thurgarton Street, Sneinton. However, by 1919 his parents and two of his siblings, Robert and Doris, were living at 6 Castle Street, Sneinton. His sister Grace married Thomas William Bend, an iron turner, in 1903 and in 1911 they were living at 23 Lamcote Street, Meadows. They had had four children of whom three were still living: Thomas William (7), Harold James (2) and Grace Irene (under 1 years). His older brother, Frederick, married Florence (Florrie) Saddington on 7 March 1909 at Nottingham General Baptist Chapel. Their daughter, Dora, was born the following year on 29 December 1910. In 1911 they were living at 5 Hooton Terrace, Castle Street, Nottingham, and later lived at 8 Wool Alley, Barker Gate, Nottingham. Frederick served with the 6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (9134 Lance Corporal) and was killed on 4 May 1915 (Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fluerbaix). Frederick's widow completed a form giving details of her late husband's relatives: Wife and child: 8 Wool Alley, Barker Gate, Nottingham. Parents: Thomas and Jane Potts, 6 Castle Street, Sneinton. Brothers: George (address illegible) and Robert (22), Castle Street, Sneinton. Sisters: Grace Bend nee Potts (35), 61 Lamcote Street, Meadows, and Doris Potts (16), 6 Castle Street, Sneinton. His younger brother Alban (b. May 1900) attested on 5 July 1915 incorrectly giving his age as 19; at the time he was living at 1 Thurgaton Street, Sneinton Hollows. He served in the Sherwood Foresters (27910) and was in France in 1916 when he was posted home on 11 June 1916 and discharged 'having made a misstatement as to age on enlistment. His total service towards his engagement to 1 August 1916 (the date of discharge) was 1 years 28 days. Albon probably rejoined the army when he reached enlistment age (see 'Extra Information'). He died in 1972 aged 71. Another brother, George Samuel, who worked for the LNER as a railway porter and later railway shunter, enlisted in the RFA on 17 March 1915 (L11366, Bombardier). He served in France from 8 January 1916 and then served in India from 23 November 1917. He was not discharged from the Army until 24 December 1919. He married Maud Caroline Govan in Leytonstone, West Ham, on 15 September 1917. He died in 1979 age 84. There is evidence that Robert also served in the Great War although details of his service have not yet been traced (see 'Extra Information'). Robert survived the war and died in 1978 aged 81. His father died in 1935 aged 75 and his mother died in 1959 aged 93. His sister Grace Harriet Bend died in 1972 aged 89.