William Herbert Potts

William Herbert Potts

Male 1897 - 1975  (77 years)

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  • Name William Herbert Potts  [1
    Nickname Bill 
    Birth 23 Jul 1897  "Pipeclay" , Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Male 
    Cause of Death 03 Mar 1975  Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Severe Stroke 
    Death 03 Mar 1975  Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4

    Death Notice of William Herbert Potts
    Death Notice of William Herbert Potts
    William Herbert Potts died 03 March 1975 at Canberra ACT
    Burial 5 Mar 1975  Woden Cemetery, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6
    Woden Cemetery, Australian Capital Territory
    Woden Cemetery, Australian Capital Territory
    The Woden Cemetery is the main cemetery in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is located adjacent to the Woden Town Centre. The cemetery opened in 1936 as the Canberra General Cemetery.
    Burial Details of William Herbert Potts
    Burial Details of William Herbert Potts
    William Herbert Potts was buried in the Woden Cemetery, Australian Capital Territory, Australia on Monday 03 Mar 1975. His grave in located in the Catholic Lawn area, Allotment Index CA/L/M/033


    Person ID I0060  Tucker Family Tree
    Last Modified 2 Sep 2019 

    Father William Herbert Potts,   b. 8 Aug 1874, "Havilah" Station Near Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Jul 1963, Wellington, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years) 
    Mother Clara Ellen Smith,   b. 18 Aug 1870, Stoney Creek, Cooyal, near Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 Aug 1950, Wellington, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 80 years) 
    Marriage 25th Jul 1894  St John The Baptist Church, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location  [7

    Marriage Certificate of William Herbert Potts and Clara Smith
    Marriage Certificate of William Herbert Potts and Clara Smith
    William Herbert Potts married Clara Smith 25th July 1894 st St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Registration No. 5054/1894
    Photos
    Clara Ellen Potts (n.Smith) and William Herbert Potts
    Clara Ellen Potts (n.Smith) and William Herbert Potts
    William Herbert Potts and his wife Clara Ellen Potts (n. Smith)
    Family ID F0003  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mildred Joyce Weston,   b. 1909, Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Marriage 1935  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Children 
    +1. M.J. Potts
    +2. G.W. Potts
    Family ID F0002  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 16 Aug 2009 

  • Documents
    William (Bill) Herbert Potts
    William (Bill) Herbert Potts
    Bill is the son of William Herbert Potts and Clara Smith

  • Notes 
    • The following text is an extract from " A History of the Potts Family", as compiled by Geoffrey William Potts

      He was known as Bill, and was born at "Pipeclay" near Mudgee. He continued his education whilst the family lived at Apsley near Wellington and completed 5th grade (Year 5). His early work was in Sydney and at Peper and Thomas where he earned 1 (on pound - $2) per week as a grocery man. He married in the early 1920's but was later divorced. In 1928 or 1929 he became a bookmaker, betting on races in the country areas. He carried on this occupation until 1965 (for 35/36 years). He was known as the "gentleman bookmaker". He was the leading bookmaker at Wellington, both registered and Starting Price (S.P.). Starting Price betting was illegal but was the only way the most people in country areas (and city) could have a bet. The starting Price was determined in those days by the price shown in the Sydney Morning Herald - and that was the price that bets were paid on. Whenever races were held at Mudgee, he always went there no matter what other race meetings may have been on. He was a Life Member of the Orange Race club and when they set up the first Rails betting area in the betting ring (the best positions) he was the only non-local to be offered a stand. he owned many race horses and was associated with the great pacer lawn Derby. Two of his horsed )Radio Star and Own Up) won many country races between them in the late 1940's and early 1950's. he was a member of the knights of the Southern Cross in Wellington for over 30 years and was President of the Knights for many years. he was also a member of the Wellington Showground Trust and its President during the 1960's when the track and facilities were upgraded. he was the major organiser in the fundraising to build the Catholic High School in the mid 1950's and to replace the school's roof after a big fire in 1970. In February, 1935 he married Mildred Joyce Weston of Gilgandra. They had two children Margaret Joan and Geoffrey William. In 1971 they moved to Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. On 03 march 1975 he died after suffering a severe stroke and is buried in the Canberra Lawn Cemetery (renamed Woden Cemetery).

  • Sources 
    1. [S2] Geoffrey William Potts, A history of the Potts Family, Mar 1989, 44 (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S4] New South Wales Government, NSW BDM, 1897 (Reliability: 3).
      Surname Potts, Given Names William H, Sex Male, Index Year 1897, Father William H, Mother Clara, Place of Registration Mudgee, Registration Year 1897, Registration Number 23840

    3. [S2] Geoffrey William Potts, A history of the Potts Family, 3 Mar 1975 (Reliability: 3).
      On 03 march 1975 he died after suffering a severe stroke and is buried in the Canberra lawn Cemetery.

    4. [S94] The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 Mar 1975, 26 (Reliability: 3).
      See attached newspaper clipping

    5. [S159] Woden Cemetery, 5 Mar 1975 (Reliability: 3).
      Name Potts, William Herbert, Cemetery Woden, Died Monday, 3 march 1975, Buried Wednesday 05 Mar 1075, Area Lawn, Description Catholic, Allotment Index CA/L/M/033

    6. [S2] Geoffrey William Potts, A history of the Potts Family, Mar 1975 (Reliability: 3).
      On 3 march 197he died after suffering a severe stroke and is buried in the Canberra lawn Cemetery.

    7. [S4] New South Wales Government, NSW BDM, 25 Jul 1894, 5054/1894 (Reliability: 2).
      See attached Marriage Certificate 5054/1894 William Herbert Potts and Clara Smith.

    8. [S4] New South Wales Government, NSW BDM, 1935 (Reliability: 3).
      Surname Potts, Given Names William H, Sex Male, Index Year 1935, Spouse Surname Western, Given Names Mildred J, Place of Registration Sydney, Registration Year 1935, Registration Number 271


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