233456 Cpl. James Henry Francis Potter British Army 20th (5th City Pals) Btn. Manchester Regiment from:32 Salisbury Road, Reddish, Stockport James Henry Francis Potter, he preferred to be called Frank, joined up on 17 November 1914 and went to France a year later, in November 1915. He joined the 20th Service Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, otherwise known as the 5th City Pals. His Regiment saw intermittent action during 1916 until the major action at the Somme. He gained a field promotion to corporal on 20th March 1916 after action on the front line at C2 Sector.
He was injured on the first day of the battle and family knowledge suggested he was buried by a bomb which exploded by him. He was reported as being deaf and dumb when found, regaining both senses later in hospital after a nightmare. His casualty form at the time suggested that he was admitted to hospital in Rouen with shell shock on 3rd July 1916 and evacuated to England on 6th July 1916. The records don't suggest that he saw further active service although he was re-inoculated on 6th December 1916, presumably as a preparation for service.
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