People Australia

Frank Hales Potter, c. 1915, photographer unknown

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

FRANK HALES POTTER was born on 16th May, 1890, at Wodonga, Victoria. His parents were Mr. John Cochrane Potter (for many years manager of the Bairnsdale Branch of the Bank) and Mrs. Fanny Mary Potter. He was educated at Bairnsdale College, Victoria, joining the Bank’s staff on 21st January, 1908, at Melbourne. In the following April he was transferred to Richmond, Victoria; in February, 1910, to Hay, New South Wales, where in January, 1911, he was appointed ledger-keeper; and in October, 1912, promoted to teller at Jerilderie.

Frank Hales Potter enlisted on 24th July, 1915, and was a member of the 10th Machine Gun Company, leaving Australia in May, 1916, as a warrant officer. He was promoted to lieutenant during his eleven months’ service in France, and was shot when leading his section on 13th October, 1917, dying three weeks later of his wounds at the 14th General Hospital, Wimmereux.

Lieutenant Frank Potter was mentioned in despatches by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig on 7th November, 1917, for the gallant and distinguished service he had rendered in the field. The despatch was published in the second supplement to the London “ Gazette” dated 25th December, 1917.