The AIF Project

Cecil Waratah POTTER

Regimental number3913
Place of birthAlbury New South Wales
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLabourer
AddressWyse Street, Albury, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, Donald Sherwood Potter, Wyse Street, Albury, New South Wales
Enlistment date6 March 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name30th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/47/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 24 August 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll30th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 5 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'At BROODSEINDE RIDGE east of YPRES on 11th October, 1917, No. 3913 Private POTTER was employed by the acting platoon commander s runner to go to Company Headquarters with a message for stretcher bearers, and with stretcher bearer WILLIAMS went up to the forward post - about 70 yards - under active sniping, to render assistance and guide stretcher bearers with three casualties of that post. Having dug out one man who had been buried for about an hour, he (POTTER) and stretcher bearer WILLIAMS attempted to carry the man back when WILLIAMS was killed by a sniper. POTTER continued alone with the wounded man and succeeded in getting him back. This was done by daylight and active sniping practically prevented the removal of the wounded from the vicinity. The men on the post were subjected to heavy shelling all day and POTTER's coolness and courage had a great deal to do towards steadying them. his work throughout the whole period of these operations was excellent and I consider him deserving of special recognition.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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