Robert Cecil POTTER

Regimental number10/902
Date of birth27 October 1885
Place of birthAuckland
OccupationFarmer
Addressc/o Apsey, White & Co, Hastings
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Height5' 8"
Weight160 lbs
Next of kinJohn Potter, Takapuna, Auckland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date14 August 1914
Place of enlistmentHastings
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on 16 October 1914
Final rank2nd Lieutenant
Final unit17th Ruahine Company, 1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


For conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy's trenches. He was in charge of Scouts, and led the way under heavy fire with perfect coolness and accuracy. His fine example was invaluable.
Recommendation date: 27 August 1916

FateCommenced return to New Zealand 19 December 1918
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Expedition), 12 April 1915.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 12 May 1915.

Wounded in action, 5 August 1915 (bomb wound, forehead).

Admitted to No.1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 4(?) August 1915, and transferred to Hospital Ship the same day; to No.16 Stationary Hospital, Mudros, 6 August 1915.

Promoted Sergeant, 9 August 1915.

To Convalescent Camp, Mudros, 16 August 1915; discharged, 22 August 1915; rejoined unit, Anzac, 23 August 1915.

Admitted to HS 'Dongola', Anzac, 1 December 1915 (ringworm); transferred to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 5 December 1915; to Convalescent Camp, Zeitoun, 15 December 1915; discharged to duty, 28 February 1915.

Posted to 2nd Bn, Wellington Regiment, Moascar, 1 March 1916.

Transferred to 1st Bn, Wellington Regiment, 26 March 1916.

Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 6 April 1916.

Admitted to No.1 NZ Field Ambulance, 2 July 1916 (contusion to right leg from bomb); transferred to England, 15 July 1916; to No.2 London General Hospital, Chelsea, 15 July 1916; to NZ Command Depot, Codford, 11 August 1916.

Rejoined unit, France, 12 October 1916.

Appointed Temporary Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 16 October 1916.

Appointed Warrant Officer, 2nd Class, 4 Janury 1917, and promoted to Company Sergeant Major the same day.

Taken on strength of Reinforcement Camp, Morbecque, 5 June 1917; rejoined unit, 18 June 1917.

On leave to Paris, 20 July 1917.

Nominated for officer training, 19 August 1917; proceeded to England, 25 August 1917; marched into No.2 Officer Training Cadet Bn, Pemborke College, 7 September 1917.

Admitted to Cherry Hinton Military Hospital, Cambridge, 8 September 1917 (venereal disease: gonorrhoea); discharged to Officer Training Cadet Bn, 7 December 1917.

Admitted to Cherry Hinton, Military Hospital, Cambridge, 11 December 1917 (venereal disease, gonorrhoea); discharged, 8 March 1918, and marched into 'D' Coy, No.2 Officer Cadet Training Bn, the same day.

Admitted to No.1 Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, 29 May 1918; discharged, 18 June 1918, and marched into No.2 Officer Training Cadet Bn, the same day.

Appointed Second Lieutenant, 29 June 1918.

Marched into Sling Camp, 15 July 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 7 September 1918; marched into NZ Infantry & General Base Depot, Etaples, 8 September 1918.

Marched into 1st Bn, Wellington Regiment, and posted to 17th Ruahine Company, 13 September 1918.

Wounded in action, 29 September 1918; admitted to No.2 NZ Field Ambulance, 30 September 1918 and transferred to No.56 Casualty Clearing Station, the same day; to No.8 General Hospital, Rouen, 2 October 1918 (gunshot wounds, right shoulder and forehead); proceeded to England, 3 October 1918; to No.1 NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst, 4 October 1918 (gunshot wounds, right shoulder and right thigh, severe); classified by Medical Board as unfit for General Service for 6 months, 26 November 1918; discharged, 27 November 1918.

Marched into NZ Discharge Depot, Torquay, 12 December 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand on board HMNZT 'Oxfordshire', 19 December 1918; disembarked New Zealand, 31 January 1919; discharged, 11 March 1919.

Total war service: 4 years 209 days (of which 4 years 109 days were abroad).

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
Date of death11 December 1969, Auckland
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 20802301
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24186075

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