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From various local papers, 1946.
MR. H. T. POTTER.
Mr. H. T. Potter, of 41, Hythe-street, Dartford, passed away on
Saturday last, after little more than a week’s illness.
Mr. Potter joined the Dartford Fire Service in May, 1906, and
relinquished active duty in 1930. He was appointed Chief Officer on
October 7, 1914, and from then to 1930 was in full charge of the
town’s fire service. From 1930 until his death he was hon. Chief
Officer, and his services to the borough were greatly appreciated.
Mr. Potter came to Dartford in 1904 from Massachusetts, where he was
Chief Officer of the fire brigade. His three sons were also in the
Fire Service, the eldest serving 20 years, the second 30 years. The
eldest came out in 1930 and the second in 1945. The youngest has
done nine years’ service, but retired in December to help his father
in his taxi business.
In all Dartford’s Fire Brigade tournaments he took a prominent part,
besides interesting himself in all public social events, carnivals,
processions, &c.
The funeral took place at Watling-street Cemetery on March 7 after a
service at the Parish Church, at which the Rev. A. E. Speers
officiated. The mourners were Mrs. E. R. Potter (widow), Mr. and
Mrs. H. J. Potter (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Vic
Reynolds (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Potter, Mr.
and Mrs. C. T. Potter, Mr. S. Potter (brother), Mrs. E. Newton
(sister), Mrs. G. Mileham (niece), Mr. G. Reynolds (grandson), Mr.
G. Potter (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. D. Irvine (father-in-law), Mr. C.
Newcombe, Mrs. B. Newcombe. Mr. A. Exeter, and Mr. A. Baxter. Also
present at the cemetery were Mr. W. Dalton, Mr. J. Penfold, Mr. W.
Mackney, Mr. W Turnbull and Mrs. C. Whistler.
Flowers were sent by Mrs. Potter (widow), Mr. and Mrs. H. Potter and
Pat, Mr. and Mrs. Potter and Geoffrey, Mr. and Mrs C. Potter, Alice
and Vic Reynolds and grandson, Mr. and Mrs. David Irvine, Brother
Sam Potter and. family, Sister Emma Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Outtrim,
Mr. and Mrs Blod and Betty, Mr. and Mrs. Exeter, Mr. and Mrs.
Stanley Ellis, Dartford Borough Fire Brigade, Pat Brown, Bergman
Osterberg P.T. College, Pat and Ernie Mitchell, Ernie and George,
Mrs. Lane and Mr. and Mrs. W. Lane, Mr. and Mrs. W. Salmon and
family, W.M. and Brethren, Semper Paratus Lodge, Mr. Maurice
Northcott, Mr. and Mrs. Webb, Edgar and family, Mr. Turner, Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Whistler, Mr. and Mrs. C. Whistler, Mr. and Mrs. John
Colyer and family, Mr. and Mrs. Mundy, Mr and Mrs. E. Baxter, Mr.
and Mrs. Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Mrs. C. Newcombe, June and
Allen, Uncle Cyril, Bob, Nell and Jean, Tucker Armoured Plywood,
Crayford, Fire Proofing, Neighbours of Suffolk-i^oad, Mr. and Mrs.
Fairman and family, Dartford Hire Service, and Mr and Mrs P Baley.
FORMER DARTFORD FIRE CHIEF GREAT RECORD OF SERVICE.
A forty, years’ association with the Dartford Fire Brigade, of which
he became the chief Officer, is recalled. by the death of Mr, Henry
Thomas Potter, of 41, Hythe-street, Dartford. who passed away on
March 2nd after a short illness and was Interred at Watling-street
Cemetery, Dartford, on Thursday of last week.
Mr. Potter was 73 years of age and leaves a widow, three sons and a
daughter.
In his younger days, Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade at
Williamstown, Mass., U.S.A., Mr. Potter joined the Dartford fire
service on May 4th, 1906. He became its Chief Officer on October
7th, 1914, and occupied this position until 1930, when he retired
and was appointed Hon. Chief Officer; an office which he held until
his death.
Sympathetic reference to his passing was mads by the Mayor at the
meeting of Dartford Borough Council on Monday and tribute was paid
to the excellent service he rendered to the town for so many years,
His three sons also had a fine record of service with the local
Brigade Mr. Henry James Potter, 20 years; Mr. William John Potter 30
years; and Mr, Cyril Thomas Potter nine years.
Since 1912 they had assisted their father in running a private hire
service and the family is well-known and highly respected throughout
the Dartford district.
Mr. Potter was also a Freemason, being associated with the Semper
Paratus Lodge for many years.
The interment followed a service at the Parish Church (Holy Trinity)
and there were many expressions of sympathy and. regret.
Chief Officer Potter.
Standing on the threshold of Dartford of to-morrow with plans for
the improvement of the town the Borough Council paused on Monday
evening to pay tribute to one who had given great service to the
Dartford of yesterday.
Chief Officer H. D. Potter’s name will be forever linked with that
of the town’s fire service, which he had served since 1906. When he
relinquished active duty in 1930, after being Chief Officer since
1914, his work was not finished. He continued until his death as
Honorary Chief Officer and it cannot be said that he ever retired in
the sense that other men retire. His work was his hobby; no man
could wish for a happier combination. In his footsteps walk three
sons who have all been firemen.
The Mayor spoke in appreciation o± Mr. Potter’s services to the
town, and the Council stood in silence as a token of their respect. |
