Herbert Anderson Potter

Herbert Anderson Potter was born on 1st May 1889 in Wonthaggi, Victoria, to Rev Herbert Edward Potter and Mary, nee Anderson. 

On 19th January 1915, Herbert enlisted in the AIF (Australian Imperial Forces) at Wonthaggi. He was given the service number 1084 and was initially put on strength with C Squadron of the 13th Light Horse Regiment before being transferred to the 9th Light Horse Regiment.

Upon enlistment, Herbert was a 26-year-old farmer who stood 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighed 154 lb (70 kg). His complexion was given as dark, eyes grey and hair dark. Herbert’s records show that he had the distinctive marks of scars on his legs from an axe and knife scars on his right thigh. He also had teeth missing. Herbert’s religious denomination was given as Church of England. His father, whom Herbert put down as his next of kin, was a clergyman at San Remo in Victoria.

Herbert embarked on HMAT A55 ​Kyarra​ on 20th August 1915, sailing from Sydney, New South Wales. The trip would take him across the Great Australian Bight to Albany, on to Colombo, in Ceylon, before finally disembarking at Suez, at the southern end of the Suez Canal, in Egypt​.

Herbert arrived at Gallipoli on 25th October 1915, and would spend nearly two months on the Peninsula before all ANZAC Forces were evacuated and returned to Alexandria in December. Towards the end of the Gallipoli campaign, the 9th Light Horse took on a defensive role in the position named Canterbury Slopes, which was later renamed Rhododendron Spur.  Over the period of November, this position was heavily shelled, resulting in the loss of several personnel. An item of interest occurred on 22nd November, when a Turkish deserter appeared in front of their fire trench. The Regimental Diary states that he was given a hot meal and drink before being sent to Brigade Headquarters.

Upon arriving back in Alexandria, not much information is included in Herbert’s enlistment papers other than the line.

“C.C. Regt, Marched out to Serapeum27/2/1916.”​

The concern here is that the abbreviation ‘C.C’ is normally associated with ‘confined to camp’. Was Herbert confined to camp for some unexplained reason, or did he continue with the 9th Light Horse as they fought the Turks in and around Romani? The next piece of information, dated 19th November 1916, shows Herbert at a Rest Camp in Port Said. A period of nine months appears to be missing.

We do know that on 8 February, 1917, Herbert was admitted to the 2nd Light Horse Ambulance to be treated for gonorrhoea. He was taken to the 54th Casualty Clearing Station on the same day, then admitted to the 14th Stationary Hospital, and finally to the 14th General Hospital three days later. His resurgence of gonorrhea would see him out of any action for the remainder of the war.

 On 26th December 1918, Herbert embarked on the HMAT ​Somali​ at Suez, returning to Australia some weeks later. He was sent to Langwarrin Camp in Victoria, still suffering from gonorrhoea. In order to be discharged, Herbert found it necessary to write to the OC (Officer Commanding) of the Langwarrin Camp outlining his case for his discharge.

“Sir,
 I was admitted to Langwarrin Camp with gonorrhoea on 13/5/1915 and was under treatment until 5/7/1915. I embarked and was under treatment in No. 14 A.G.H., Egypt, with gonorrhoea in February 1917 and was under continuous treatment until January 1918. I was discharged with a Gleet and was told I was chronic. I carried on for 8 months and was returned in September to 14th A.G.H. and was under continuous treatment until I returned to Australia as a patient and sent to Langwarrin Camp.
 In the event of my discharge being granted, I agree to release the Military Authorities from all claims and demands whatever, arising out of Venereal Disease.

Signed, H. A. Potter.”

He was finally discharged from the AIF on 15th April 1919. For his service during the war, he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Records indicate that Herbert married Elsie Winifred Mary Giblett at the Congregational Church, Warrnambool, on 22nd February 1922. The following article, taken from the 16th March 1922 edition of ​Table Talk,​ describes the wedding.

“Mr. Herbert Potter to Miss Elsie M. Giblett.

At the Congregational Church, Warrnambool, on Saturday, February I8, the marriage of Mr. Herbert Anderson Potter, eldest son of Mrs. Potter and the late Rev. H. E. Potter, San Remo, to Miss Elsie M. Giblett, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Giblett, of Russell's Creek, Warrnambool was quietly celebrated. The bride is a member of a very old district family and a good deal of interest was taken in the event. The church was effectively decorated with tinted gum branches and lovely white flowers red ferns by members of the congregation, and the Rev. George King performed the ceremony.

The bride was given away by her brother, Mr. S. R. Giblett, and looked attractive in her travelling costume of pale biscuit-colored Assam silk, which was prettily braided and worn over a vest of lily georgette. Her hat to match of layered aerophane was lined with saxe blue straw and encircled with dainty little groups of colored leaves and flowers.

Miss M. I. Giblett attended her sister, wearing a pretty frock of cream fugi silk, made with pleated panels and adorned with pierced eyelet-work and a scroll-like design of saxe blue embroidery. Saxe blue straw and satin formed her pretty hat, it's only trimming being two buttercup roses and a bunch of black cherries. Mr. W. Hoddinott was to have been best man, but bushfires detained him, and the Rev. P. D. Trainor acted for him.

After the ceremony the guests were entertained at wedding tea by Mrs. Sidney Smith and her sister, Miss Yorke—very close friend of the bride and her family at their residence, "The Cottage," Warrnambool. Only the immediate relatives of both families and a few old friends were among the guests, who were received by Miss Giblett, the bride's eldest sister, who wore a graceful frock of black crepe de chine, and a black straw hat with an aerophane crown trimmed with a tissue rose-tinted spray. Mrs. Potter also was becomingly attired in black.

The guests included—Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Giblett, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Dallimore, Mrs. George Giblett, Mrs. Nicholson, Rev. George and Mrs. King, Rev. F. D. Trainor, Mr. S. Nettleton. Miss Ida Nettleton, Miss Moss, Miss Wood.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter's future home will be at Patho, on the Murray River. Among the many beautiful presents received by the bride were a silver teapot from the congregation and a silver sugar bowl from the Girls' Guild of the Congregational Church.”

One year later, Herbert and Elsie would have a baby girl, Mary Elizabeth. Herbert passed away on 16th January, 1967, at Feluga, Queensland, three years after Elsie passed away in her hometown of Warrnambool, Victoria. He was buried in Woongarra Crematorium, Townsville, QLD.