Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Second Battle of Sambre’ M.C. group of four awarded to Acting Captain G. H. Potts, Lancashire Fusiliers, for his gallantry during the crossing of the Oise-Sambre Canal on 4 November 1918, during the last set-piece battle fought by the B.E.F. on the Western Front: the battle resulted in the award of 7 Victoria Crosses and, notably amongst the casualties, the death of the poet Wilfred Owen

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (17607 L. Cpl. G. H. Potts. Lan: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. G. H. Potts.) nearly very fine (4) £800-£1,000

M.C. London Gazette 10 December 1919: T/2nd Lt. George Henry Potts, Lanc. Fus., attd. 16th Bn.
‘During the attack on the Oise-Sambre Canal on 4th November, 1918, he was one of the first to attempt to make the crossing, under heavy fire, of the bridge constructed by the R.E.’s When the advance was continued on the enemy’s side of the canal, he led his company with great skill and courage, capturing all his objectives.’

George Henry Potts attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers on 1 March 1915 and served with the 19th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 November 1915. Appointed Lance-Corporal and afterwards promoted to Acting Sergeant, he returned to England and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 25 June 1918. He saw further service during the Great War on the Western Front attached to the 16th Battalion from 18 August 1918, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the crossing of the Oise-Sambre Canal, during the Second Battle of Sambre, on 4 November 1918. This was the last set-piece battle fought by the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front during the Great War, when 13 Divisions attacked the German positions over a 20-mile front, resulting in the award of seven Victoria Crosses and, notably amongst the casualties, the death of the poet Wilfred Owen. Potts ended the War in the rank of Acting Captain.

Sold with copied research.