Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1881 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/180,
the son of Thomas & Ellen Potts Nee Suckling).

1891 Census - Washway, Dunham Massey.   Son - aged: 9 - Scholar - born:
Dunham Massey.   Head of household - Thomas Potts - Married - aged: 41 -
occ: Railway Signalman - born: Bartholomey, Cheshire.   Also - Ellen Potts
- Wife - aged: 33 - born: Maxstoke, Warwickshire.   Plus 3 siblings.

1901 Census - 23 Preston Terrace, Nottinghamshire.   Nephew of John &
Betsey Suckling his maternal uncle - aged: 19 - occ: Machine Fitter - born:
Trimperley.   His parents and siblings are now residing at a house (next
door to a Public House) on Manchester Road, Dunham Massey.

1911 Census - Railway Cottages, West Timperley.   Son - aged: 29 - occ:
Farm Labourer - born: Dunham Massey.   Head of household - Thomas Potts -
Married - aged: 62 - occ: Railway Signalman - born: Bartholomey, Cheshire. 
 Also - Ellen Potts - Wife - aged: 52 - born: Maxstoke, Warwickshire.  
Plus 2 younger siblings.

Enlisted in January 1915 and drafted to the front in December 1915.  MIC
states that he was posted to France on the 20th December 1915.   He
qualified (just) for the 15 Star, the BWM & the VM.

The 13th Battalion, Cheshire Rgt were part of the 25th Division, 74th
Brigade.   On the 3rd July 1916, they travelled from Warloy to Bouzincourt
and into the trenches at Boiselle on the 5th.   Their positions were
consolidated and held.   They atacked Ovillers at 08.05 hrs on the 7th
July.  The objectives were reached and consolidated but at the high cost of
261 casualties - one of whom was John.   James William Illingworth from his
church was in the same battalion and he was also killed in the same
engagement.

Death reported in the MEN - 15th August 1916 and the 18/08/1916 edition of
the Altrincham Guardian.   Employed by Dean & Son, Builders, Sale.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917.