Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 147

The 1914 Star awarded to Lance Corporal J. A. Potter, 1/1 Leicestershire Yeomanry, who was invalided due to shock in 1915

1914 Star (1979 L.Cpl. J. A. Potter. Leic: Yeo.), good very fine

British War Medal 1914-20 (49833. Pte. G. B. Berridge. Leic. R.), suspension removed, verdigris, somewhat polished, good fine overall

Victory Medal 1914-1919 (34521 Pte. J. Orchard. Leic. R.), good very fine

John Archie Potter was born at Loughborough, Leicestershire on 31 January 1892, the son of Joseph and Sarah Potter. Educated at Loughborough Grammer School he matriculated to Sibford Boarding School and later Ackworth Boarding School. Potter left School in 1907 and joined the Engineering firm of Messrs Herbert, Morris and Bastert, Loughborough, being elected to The Institution of Mechanical Engineers on 25 July 1911.

Whilst undertaking this work Potter joined the Territorial Force at Mountsorrell on 5 August 1913, being advanced Lance Corporal and motorcyclist on 14 September of that year. Completing his apprenticeship in 1914 Potter was appointed assistant to the Works Manager however his advancing career was curtailed by the outbreak of the Great War in August.

Volunteering for overseas service in September he was posted to France on 2 November 1914. The Regiment was one of few Yeomanry units attached to regular divisions being posted to the 3rd Cavalry Division and seeing action with them at the First Battle of Ypres. At Frezenberg they were stationed between the First and Second Regiments of Life Guards and 'A' Squadron earned accolades for holding the line for the entire Brigade as it withdrew.

Potter was hospitalised between 9 to 17 June 1915 as the result of a motorcycle accident which left him in a state of shock. Unable to continue serving he was invalided from service and instead given employment with the National Projectile Factory, Nottingham. Appointed Superintendent of the 9.2" shell forge and the 6" shell forge until his eventual discharge on 4 August 1917, his conduct was described as exemplary.

Returning to civilian work Potter was employed by Alldays and Onions as Assistant Works Manager between October 1917-August 1918. Moving on to The Eyre Smelting Co., Merton Abbey he reach the role of Works Manager in August 1918; sold together with copied research.

George Benjamin Berridge was born in Coalville, Leicestershire on 5 June 1899, the son of Benjamin Berridge, a Railway Wagon worker. Initially working as a coalminer he joined 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment during the Great War, seeing action after 1915. Settling back in Leicestershire Berridge died in Countesthorpe on 5 September 1973.

James Orchard was born in Melbourne, Derbyshire on 8 January 1882, the son of Joseph Orchard. Joining the 9th Battalion on 21 May 1917 he was discharged on 19 August 1918 and returned to Nottingham, dying at Basford, Nottingham in January 1954; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate

Starting price
£60