In Memory of

Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class T E Potts

M/5170
H.M.S. “Surprise”, Royal Navy
Killed 23rd December 1917 Age 31

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Artificer Tom Potts was the son of Mrs. Potts of Earlestown, whose husband was L.A.Potts of 253, Francis Avenue, Southsea, Portsmouth. The "Newton and Earlestown Guardian" of 1st January 1918 states that Tom was "late of Regent Street" though it is not clear if this was his mother's address.

Artificer Potts was an old scholar of the Baptist Sunday School. As a mechanic, he served his time at one of the local engineering works, but from the beginning of the War had been attached to the Naval Service. He was described by the paper as having "a pleasant and genial disposition."

He died when three British destroyers, HMS Surprise, HMS Tornado and HMS Torrent, were either mined or torpedoed off the Maas Lightship. Many seamen were lost at sea, but Tom was buried in Portsmouth (Milton) Cemetery.