Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Victor Potter, a sewing machine agent, born 1864 in Tipton, Staffordshire and his wife Annie Cooke Potter (nee Posnett, married on the 12th June 1884 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church), born 1863 in Frisby, Leicestershire. Arthur Edward was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was baptised on the 20th February 1898 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, his siblings were, Ernest Harold, a draper’s assistant, born 1886 and was baptised on the 11th June 1886 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church and Frances Ellen, born 1894 and was baptised on the 9th February 1894 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, both his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 25, High Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a butcher’s boy and was residing in the family home at 9, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a sewing machine agent, his mother and sister Frances. On the 4th December 1915 Arthur married Daisy Woodcock, in Thorpe Arnold Parish Church, Daisy was born on the 21st June 1894 in Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, they had a daughter, Marion E., born on the 14th January 1917 in Melton Mowbray. Arthur was awarded the British War and Victory medals. In the 2nd quarter of 1919 in the Melton Mowbray district, Arthur’s widow married Frank Lamming. In 1939 Daisy Lamming was residing in the family home at 22, Welby Lane, Melton Mowbray, together with her husband Frank Lamming, a postman, born 13th May 1895, Arthur’s daughter Marion Potter and Daisy M. Lamming, a shoe trade sole welder, born 28th April 1920. Marion married William Wilmot in the 4th quarter of 1939 in the Melton Mowbray district.
The War Diary records: 18 Sept-18 – The assembling was carried out noiselessly in spite of the darkness and rain which commenced to fall from 2.00 am onwards. Battalion Headquarters and Regimental Aid Post were established at W.10.b.6.6 and these were shared by the 10th WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. From 2.00 am to 5.00 am the enemy sent over a large number of gas shells but these were fortunately over the crest and away from the troops.
5.20 am. About 5.20 am the barrage opened and for some hours pandemonium reigned supreme. Within 10 minutes the enemy replied, placing his barrage on LOWLAND SUPPORT and gradually settling on LOWLAND and HEATHER TRENCHES.
The 1st objective was easily gained and the Battalion moved forward in the following order towards the GREEN LINE. “A” Company on right, “D” Company on left. “C” Company right support. “B” Company in left support.
Information came back slowly in spite of all preparations to secure information. Prisoners soon commenced to filter through and information was received from our wounded officers that the Battalion had passed through the 1st objective and definite information came at 7.30 am that the 1st objective was captured. At 8.00 am the Commanding Officers of both Battalions moved forward to W.5.d.3.2 to establish an advanced Battalion Headquarters.
The situation was very obscure and Major THOMAS, MC, went forward to ascertain the real state of affairs. Numbers of scattered groups of the 38th Division were seen and although the Battalion was in touch on the left with the 1st ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS on the actual objective, progress on the left seemed to be limited and there was an obvious gap about W.6.a. Information was received at rear Battalion Headquarters that Officer Commanding “B” Company had reached his objective. Later, word was received from Sergeant MAUGHAN of “A” Company that he and 40 other ranks had reached their objective. All officers in his Company had become casualties.
At 9.00 am the Brigadier General visited the Commanding Officers and discussed the situation and gave the news that the 51st had gained the final objective. Advanced Battalion Headquarters moved back to HEATHER TRENCH at mid day and at 4.00 pm on account of the severe shelling and the number of casualties caused, we returned to our original place till the shelling eased off. The Commanding Officer went forward once again and found the Battalion as follows:-
“B” Company in trench with 15th ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS and in line W.6.d.5.5 to W.6.d.6.2.
“D” Company in trench system W.6.d.65.00 to W.6.d.9.3.
“A” Company in trench W.6.d.65.00 to W.12.b.6.3. (Battalion right boundary).
“C” Company in support in SUNKEN ROAD.
“B” Company formed with 15th ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS an international post at W.6.d.5.5.
Very stiff opposition and a surprise awaited the attackers in the SUNKEN ROAD. On working round the flanks two batches of prisoners were brought out of 2 large saps (British made) and over 200 including 7 officers being sent back – a most creditable bag.
Casualties had been heavy and the Commanding Officer on moving forward after dusk, started to re-organise the Battalion from the new Battalion Headquarters at W.12.b.55.90.
Lieutenant AUST, H. E. and 2nd Lieutenant NILSSON, G. B. were killed and:-
Major GALE, L. M. C., Captain WILKINSON, G., Lieutenant SMITH, A. C. D., 2nd Lieutenant MULLANEY, R.A.M.C., 2nd Lieutenant COULSON, C., DCM, 2nd Lieutenant HODGSON, W., 2nd Lieutenant MITCHELL, S. were wounded.
The enemy who still remained in strength in GOUZEAUCOURT village were very persistent in his sniping and made the vicinity of the SUNKEN ROAD very unhealthy. Throughout the following day he shelled the road persistently with a mixture of 5.9s, 77mm, and gas. He had direct observation from the village and obtained a number of other ranks and casualties were heavy.
On Friday November 29th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT.” KILLED IN ACTION. – News has been received by Mrs. D. Potter, 21, Scalford-rd., Melton, that her husband, Private Potter, of the East Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in action of September 18th. The information was received from the Regimental Office and Mrs. Potter has since been the recipient of a letter from the Commanding Officer of the 7th East Yorks., stating that her husband was killed near Flers, “whilst doing his duty.” Prior to enlistment Private Potter worked at Holwell Works, He leaves a wife and one child.