Algernon Potts was born 12th July 1897, baptised 12th August 1897, in the Duke of Cumberland Public house in Newcastle-upon Tyne. He was the third eldest son of Robert Potts Senior, born 1850, at Flat Engine, Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, brass moulder, probably working for the Armstrong Works in Elswick. He himself was the oldest son of William, born 1815 and Elizabeth Potts, born 1816, and Mary Ann, born 1870, who were married in 1895. The other six children were Robert Potts junior, born 28th April 1894, William Edward Potts, born in the Duke of Cumberland, 11th August 1895, [baptised on the 5th September 1895, died 1981], Elizabeth Humble Adam Potts, born 6th September 1904, died 21st December 1996, [she married an Arthur Bosworth on the 27th September 1930, in 1939 she was living with her widowed mother Mary Ann Potts, and her brother William Edward Potts, and one other, residing at 69 Woodstock Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne], she was educated at the Blenheim Street Council School, Norman Potts, born 8th July 1907, died 1st February 1968, [Sand Blaster, married a Alice Potts nee Walls, on the 20th September 1930, born 14th August 1902, educated at Blenheim Street School, in 1939 they were residing at 74 Mary Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne], and she died 21st December 1978, and George H. Potts, born October 1910 who got married at Hexham.

Robert Potts [junior], with the rest of his family in 1911 were residing at 6 George Street Back, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, [which was a 2 room tenement block], Robert Potts [Senior] was unemployed, Robert was a News boy selling newspapers, William Edward was an apprentice engineer and Turner, the two girls and Thomas were still at school.

Before Robert Potts, [Senior] settled down he had a few addresses, in 1881, he is residing at 24 Hill Street, Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which was a Public House, [Duke of Cambridge?], being run by his brother in law Thomas Humble, [born 1838 at New Shildon], and his wife Margaret Humble, [born 1841 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne], with their five children, George Humble, born 1867, Thomas Humble, born 1870, William Robert Humble, born 1876, [he became a Fruit Merchant], Robert Humble, born 1878 and Sarah Humble born 1872, all at 24 Hill Street, Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1871, he is at 13 Spring Gardens Terrace, and in 161 was residing at Flat engine, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he was born. After July 1898, he moved with his family to 8 Grace Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Robert Potts senior, was buried at Elswick Cemetery on the 10th September 1918, he was an all round Sportsman, and was a landlord of the Duke of Cumberland, at The Close, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He had some very good greyhounds in the last two decades of the last [19th] century. Robert was also keen on walking, rowing, boxing, trotting, cycling, and horse racing.

Algernon Potts was educated at the Mitford School from about 1905 along with his brother Thomas.

Algernon enlisted on the 9th July 1918 with service number K52526 . He was 5 feet 3 inches tall with brown hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. His occupation was described as a Whitesmith. Trained to be a stoker 2nd class, Algernon was posted to Pembroke II, at Chatham a shore based ship. {HMS Pembroke was the name given to a shore barracks at Chatham. It was commissioned in 1878, moved ashore in 1903 and was paid off in 1983. The buildings, designed by Sir Henry Pilkington, now house the Universities at Medway}, HMS Pembroke II - Royal Naval Air Station at Eastchurch between 1913 and 1918.

On the 22nd September 1918 he is transferred to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary 'Zaria' ship number 118078, {builder Clyde Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Port Glasgow, Pennant Number Y9.22. Launched 21st December 1903, Into Service on the 26th November 1914. Out of service 1919. Broken up 3rd December 1927}.

From the 5th January 1919 he was at Attentive III, ATTENTIVE 111 was a accounting base shore establishment at Dover .

Finally Algernon was back at Pembroke 111 on the 22nd March 1919. Discharged on the 25th March 1919. Character described as V[ery] G[ood], A[bility] Sat[isfactory].

His younger brother Thomas Potts was in the 1923 [Absent Voters List], is shown as 4383248 Private 2nd Battalion Green Howards, Dover, who was discharged after the end of WW1.

Algernon Potts was in the Absent Voters List for 1920 and 1923 and 1929 as being 56650 Private 1050th Company, R.A.S.C., also as M33639 Private 12th M.T. Company, R.A.S.C., Woolwich, and M33639 Private R.A.S.C., [Algernon Potts was in the Royal Navy].

In 1974 Algernon Potts and William Edward Potts were residing still at 69 Woodstock Road.

Algernon Potts died in 1976.

All photos courtesy of Deniece with thanks.

Photos and History of Pembroke at Chatham