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Henry Potbury, 56th (Buckinghamshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry - died 10.5.1903 3 years 4 months ago #73147

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10272 Private Henry Potbury, 56th (Buckinghamshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry. Died on Sunday 10th May 1903, aged 30.
He was a Devonian, born in the Tiverton registration district, first quarter of 1873, but had been an assistant teacher at a school in Rothwell, Northamptonshire, since circa September 1895. After having been invalided home from South Africa, he returned to work, having least one bout of sickness before finally having to return to Devon, and dying there.
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....SCHOOL BOARD. - A meeting of the members of this Board was held on Wednesday evening . . . Mr. H. Potbury, an assistant in the Mixed Department, wrote stating he had volunteered for service in South Africa, and asking to be released from school duties in the event of his offer being accepted. - His request was unanimously acceded to, and it was decided if possible to keep his place open for him if he returned safely.
Northampton Mercury, Friday 26th January 1900


....THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. - Rothwell is sending two more men to the front in the persons of Mr. H. Potbury, an assistant at the Board School, and Mr. Horn, an assistant at the Grammar School, both of whom are now being drilled in the Bucks Hussars. At a social at the Board School on Saturday evening Mr. Potbury was presented by Mr. A. F. Austin, on behalf of the scholars, with a pair of field glasses. Mr. Austin spoke highly of Mr. Potbury for his work during the 4½ years he had been at the Board School. Mr. A. D. Jones, a member of the Board, also addressed the members of the Continuation Classes present, saying although the Board were sorry to lose Mr. Potbury's services for a time, they could not but admire his pluck and patriotism in volunteering for the front during the present difficulties. Mr. Potbury suitably responded. The proceedings were most enthusiastic, the whole company singing "For he's a jolly good fellow" and "Soldiers of the Queen." As showing the part Rothwell is taking in the war, it may be stated that in South Africa, or preparing for the work, there are from Rothwell five Regulars, three Reservists, two Volunteers, and five Ambulance men. Bravo Rothwell!
Northampton Mercury, Friday 9th February 1900


....A LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA. - Mr. H. Potbury, who was an assistant at Rothwell Board School and volunteered in the Imperial Yeomanry (Bucks Squadron) has sent an interesting letter from South Africa to Mr. A. D. Jones. The writer says: - "Up to the present time our Company has not been in any active engagement, but has been under canvas at Maitland Camp for over three weeks. This camp is the great cavalry base for all mounted troops arriving at Cape Town. Here the horses are allowed to recover from the effects of their voyage, and both men and horses are thoroughly trained for the work that is expected of them later on. Whilst at Maitland we were daily engaged in sham fights with blank ammunition, the country round the camp being extremely suitable for the purpose. The troops encamped there consisted mainly of Imperial Yeomanry and Colonial forces; but in addition to these there were a large number of Regulars awaiting orders for the front. The troops arrived and departed daily, so that the numbers varied greatly. In addition to men, there were thousands of horses at Maitland. A large number of these consisted of re-mounts, which arrived by ships from various parts, and were broken in for military use here. We left Maitland Camp on Sunday last, having received orders to proceed to Kimberley, about 750 miles. The journey was done by rail, occupying 2½ days. The railway journey was to me a most interesting one. On the way we crossed the Orange River, passed through Belmont, Graspan, Magersfontein, Spytfontein, and across the Modder - all places of great interest in connection with the war, and all plainly showing the dreadful work of destruction that has been going on around them. We arrived at Kimberley late at night, but had to detrain our horses, saddle them, and proceed to camp. On arriving at the camp we fed our horses, and made them secure for the night by tying them to an iron peg driven into the ground, and then lay down on the ground near our horses for our night's rest. We had no tents, but slept in the open, with a waterproof sheet to lie upon and a blanket and overcoat to cover ourselves with. You can understand that this bed does not require much making. Everything that we need, such as blanket, overcoat, change of clothing, peg and rope for securing horses, etc., is carried upon the saddle when marching from place to place, and at night the saddle is used as a pillow. I expect we shall sleep in the open in this manner until our return from the front. It is sometimes very cold at night, the difference between the day and night temperature being considerable. To-morrow (may 10) we proceed at an early hour to Boshof, a distance of about 30 miles from Kimberley. Two or three infantry regiments are going to Boshof, and my troop has been selected to act as an advance guard and as scouts in front of these when on the line of march. It will be our duty to ride some distance ahead of the main body, to thoroughly search the country being passed through for any signs of the enemy that may be lurking about, so that the main body shall not be suddenly surprised. Of course the Mounted Infantry are splendidly adapted for this work. It is very dangerous, but exciting and interesting. The Regulars give the Yeomanry great praise for the way in which they carry out this work. In the way of food, we get nothing now but tinned meat and biscuits, five biscuits per man per day being the amount served out. Although this life is a very hard and rough one, it suits me admirably, and I am in the very best of health and spirits."
Northampton Mercury, Friday 8th June 1900


....WELCOME HOME TO TROOPER POTBURY. - Mr. H. Potbury, one of the assistants at the Board School, arrived at Rothwell on Tuesday evening, having served eighteen months in the Imperial Yeomanry. He arrived at Southampton in the Hawarden Castle on Tuesday, and reached Desborough Station at 4.45. The road was lined with scholars, and the streets were crowded with spectators. He was met at the entrance to the town by the Rev. R. H. B. Crosthwaite and three members of the School Board - Messrs. R. C. Lane, G. Dyke, and A. D. Jones - Mr. A. F. Austin (headmaster), most of the teachers, and Mr. G. Clemas. A huge procession was formed, and, headed by the Albion Band, he was escorted to the Market-hill. Short speeches of welcome were then delivered to the large crowd by the Rev. R. H. B. Crosthwaite and Mr R. C. Lane, which were followed by tremendous cheering for Trooper Potbury, who thanked them for the cordial reception. He never expected a welcome like this. He could, however, tell tell them it give him far greater pleasure to come back and renew his old acquaintances than it was for them to see him. It was a treat to come back into civil life again, after living amongst Kaffirs, Dutch, etc., and never knowing when you would be shot at. He could not express his thanks in words for their cordial welcome. (Loud cheers.) The Band then stuck up the National Anthem and the proceedings terminated.

....CONSERVATIVE CLUB. - A smoking concert was held on Wednesday evening to celebrate the welcome home to Trooper Potbury. A good programme of songs was given, and speeches made by Mr. A. F. Austin, Mr. J. Whiteman, and others. Trooper Potbury and Trooper Markham both responded to the toasts of their health.
Both of the above two items from the Northampton Mercury, Friday 28th June 1901


....SCHOOL BOARD, WEDNESDAY. - A letter was read from Mr. Potbury, one of the assistants, thanking the Board for their kindness and generosity to him during his illness, and hoping he should now be able to fulfil his duties to the Board.
Northampton Mercury, Friday 12th September 1902


The Northampton Mercury, of 12.12.1902, reported that H. Potbury was the treasurer of Rothwell Cricket Club.


....SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. - On Monday evening Mr. Vernon Harcourt, who has already given his lantern lecture several times in this district, gave his lecture on South Africa . . . A splendid limelight apparatus was in charge of Mr. H. B. Ringrose, and the scenes of South Africa thrown on the screen proved most interesting to the audience. Mr. Harcourt's lecture was extremely interesting and informative, and was followed with rapt attention. A large number of lovely pictures of South Africa and pictures illustrative of the war were then placed on the curtain. A hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by the Rev. R. H. B. Crosthwaite. Mr. H. Potbury, who had been out with the Imperial Yeomanry, seconded the motion, and, curiously, stated he had met Mr. Harcourt in South Africa and attended his services. "The last service I attended," Mr. Potbury said, "you promised us all a book but we had to go on the march next day before we could get it." Mr. Harcourt then asked for his name and address in order that he might now fulfil the promise, at least to Mr. Potbury. Much interest was created by this incident.
Northampton Mercury, Friday 19th December 1902

* 'Vernon Harcourt' seems to have been the above individual's surname, but I can't identify him, or his book. Any suggestions?


....MR. POTBURY'S TESTIMONIAL FUND. - As the result of the work of the committee the sum of £23 has been subscribed by the many friends of Mr. Potbury.
Northampton Mercury, Friday 20th March 1903


....DEATH OF MR. POTBURY. - We regret to announce the death of Mr. Potbury, which took place at his home in Devonshire on Sunday. Deceased had been for many years one of the most popular assistants at the Board School at this place. He went to South Africa with the Imperial Yeomanry, and there contracted disease. On his return he again took up his old position at Rothwell, but his health gave way, and he had at last to retire. He was a keen sportsman, well-known in cricket and football circles, and his loss will severely felt.
Northampton Mercury, Friday 15th May 1903
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Henry was buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Whimple, Devon, My thanks to Charles Spicer for permission to use his photo of the grave.


www.findagrave.com/memorial/204717279/henry-potbury


The final article I found in the Northampton Mercury was a complete surprise to me.


....[ROTHWELL] URBAN COUNCIL, WEDNESDAY. - Mr. F. Barlow in the chair. - The Chairman read a letter from Mr. A. F. Austin, Head Master of the Gladstone-street Board School, as follows: - "On behalf of the Henry Potbury Memorial Committee, he had pleasure in asking the Council to accept the first instalment of 108 books for the Public Library. A fund had been raised for a testimonial to Mr. Potbury, but as he did not live to enjoy it the money had been returned by the family, and the committee thought it best to devote it in this way. The second instalment of books would be ready at Christmas." - The Chairman proposed, Mr. Whiteman seconded, and it was unanimously resolved, that the best thanks of the Council be given for the books, which the Public Library was in sore need of. Each book bears the following inscription: - "This book, with 108 others, is presented to the Rothwell Public Library, in memory of Henry Potbury, who was assistant master for 7½ years at the Gladstone-street Board Schools, and served through the South African War as a trooper in the Imperial Yeomanry. He entered into rest at his home at Whimple, Devonshire, on May 30, 1903, aged 30 years. This memorial is a token of the high esteem in which he was always held by the parents and children of the school, and the townspeople of Rothwell. He was ever a faithful and beloved teacher, a valiant soldier, an honorable man, and an exemplary citizen. October, 1903."
Northampton Mercury, Friday 23rd October 1903


I wonder if it's possible that at least one inscribed book survives somewhere. I'll be making some enquiries in Rothwell.
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Henry Potbury, 56th (Buckinghamshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry - died 10.5.1903 3 years 4 months ago #73149

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Henry Potbury, a twenty seven year old assistant master from Cullumpton, joined the IY, the 56th Company, upon the 31st of January 1900 at Buckingham, he served in South Africa from the 13th of March until the 3rd of June the following year, he gave his next of kin as his mother at Jellands Farm, Whinple, Nr Exeter
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Henry Potbury, 56th (Buckinghamshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry - died 10.5.1903 3 years 4 months ago #73150

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Thanks, Frank. Yellands Farm is still there. www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SY0597
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Henry Potbury, 56th (Buckinghamshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry - died 10.5.1903 3 years 4 months ago #73172

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Cracking, what a fantastic idea. I too would like to know if one of the books survives.
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Henry Potbury, 56th (Buckinghamshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry - died 10.5.1903 3 years 4 months ago #73173

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Looking online, Rothwell Library is a small, modern building, and doesn't seem to have a Local Studies section, so I'm not expecting them to have one of these books. Northamptonshire Archives is a possibility, and I'll send them an email..

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