Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Frank Roland Potts was born on the 7th of December 1895 in Fremantle, Western Australia to William Andrew Potts and Louisa Bates. William was a Methodist minister, and he served the church in Western Australia, South Australia and the United Kingdom.

William and Louisa had nine children Hubert (b 1887 – d 1887), Ethylwyn (b 1889 – d 1973), Gilbert MacDonald (b 1890 – d 1969), William Andrew (b 1891 [WA] – d 1946), Frederick Arnold (registered as Frederic Arnold (sic) and known as Eric, b 1892 [WA] – d 1980), Eleanor (Nellie b 1893 – d 1960), Louisa Stanway (b 1895 – d 1895), Frank Roland (b 1895 [WA] – d 1976), Harry Lincoln (b 1897 [Ironbridge, Shropshire] – d 1977).

Note – Frank’s middle name is frequently misspelt as Rowland.

Frank’s father was the Minister at the Maughan Methodist Church in the City of Adelaide for 8 years and Frank and his brothers were members of the Endeavour Groups.

Schooling

Frank attended Adelaide High School (AHS) from at least 1908 to 1910. He passed his Primary Examinations conducted at AHS in October 1908 (aged 12). He won an Education Department exhibition which enabled him study for his Junior and Senior Examinations there.

He passed Junior Examinations 1909 and Senior Examinations in 1910 and in February 1911 Frank was awarded the Elder Entrance Scholarship Senior to attend Prince Alfred College (PAC). His older brothers also had attended PAC.

Frank passed the Senior Examinations in 1911 and Higher Public Examinations in 1911. His results made him eligible for a Government Bursary to attend Adelaide University and he was awarded the Longbottom Scholarship.

While Frank was considered a good athlete, he does not appear to have represented PAC at Intercollegiate competitions.

Adelaide University

Following in the footsteps of two of his elder brothers, Gilbert Macdonald (BA 1911) and William Andrew (BSc 1912, BE 1913), Frank commenced studying at Adelaide University in 1913. He passed subjects toward his Bachelor of Science in 1913-1915 and via a supplementary examination in early 1916.
University Sport

While visiting his parents at Mount Gambier in the 1913/14 University holidays, Frank played cricket for Uniteds versus Christ Church.

Football
Frank played B Grade Football for the Adelaide University in 1915 scoring 6 goals in two matches in June.

Cricket
Frank played B Grade Cricket for Adelaide University in February 1916, perhaps covering absences due to University holidays.

World War I

Frank enlisted on the 13th of January 1915 at Adelaide while still enrolled at Adelaide University. He joined the 13th Engineers as a Sapper with SN 14101. He had completed two years in the Senior Cadets and 2½ years in Army Service Corps. Frank was described as 5’9½“, 128 lbs, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.

Frank and his brother Frederick Arnold (Eric) Potts (SN 14111, 13th Engineers) visited their parents at Mt Gambier in March 1916 before heading to Sydney. They both embarked on the HMAT S.S. Hawkes Bay on the 20th of April 1916.

In December 1916, William Potts confirmed that his son, Frank had enlisted and was undergoing training at the Royal Engineers School. The Registrar of Adelaide University, Mr C. R. Hodge, had contacted parents of students to establish who were serving. From this the University established a Roll of Honour.

On the 24th of May 1916, Frank disembarked at Tel-el-Kebir, 110 km north-north-east of Cairo, Egypt and left a few days later from Alexandrina for England. After 14 weeks training in England at the Royal Engineers School, Frank proceeded to France on the 12th of November 1916.

Frank served in France and Belgium and on the 28th of September 1917, Frank received a serious gunshot wound to the left arm. On the 11th of November 1917 he left France for Hospital in England. He was at the Military Hospital at Eastbourne then at the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford. “Medically Unfit” for further duty, Frank left the UK on 19th March 1918 and returned to Australia 22 May 1918 onboard the H.M.T. SS Field Marshall.

Career and Further Study

On returning from the War Frank took up a position at Prince Alfred College, which he held until December 1920. The report of the PAC Speech Day in 1920 said that “During his two years’ service he has done good work, especially as officer commanding the cadet corps.” Frank had returned to his studies in 1919 and was awarded his BSc in April 1922.

In 1921 he had an appointment at Scotch College, Adelaide which he held until May 1922. He assisted with the Scotch College cricket team and was in command of the senior cadets’ unit. He played Lawn Tennis.

In early 1922, Frank married Elsie Louisa Hartlett, the daughter of Rev and Mrs A Hartett, and in May 1922 they moved to Ballarat, Victoria so that Frank could take up a position as mathematical and science master at Ballarat College. Frank taught at Ballarat College until August 1925.

Frank and Elsie had three sons while in rural Victoria, Robert “Bob” Murray (born 6th of October 1922), Frank Hartlett (born 14th of December 1923) and David Andrew (born 27th of February 1925).

From August 1925, Frank was the English and Mathematics Master at Longerenong College, near Horsham, Victoria.

Frank’s mother, Louisa passed away on the 16th of November 1927.

In June 1927, Frank commenced teaching at Geelong College and in 1928 the family were living at 3 High Street Geelong.

From Geelong College, Frank moved to Wesley College in about 1931. The family moved to 126 Kooyong Rd, Caulfield (Electoral Rolls 1931) and from 1933 they were at 323 Glen Eira Road, Caulfield.

Frank and Elsie’s fourth son, John Roland, was born on the 2nd of July 1933 but tragically for the family he passed away on the 15th of July 1933 aged just 12 days.

In January 1936 Frank wrote an article on Wesley boys currently playing cricket for Victoria: (see document).

In 1939 Frank’s name often appeared in the newspapers as the solver of Bridge problems, while in 1940 he was Vice-President of the Nature Club at Wesley College. Frank was an officer for the Wesley Cadet Corp (1941 Capt., 1947 Major).

Sadly, for the Potts family, their father died on the 27th of February 1939.

By 1942 Frank and Elsie had moved to 272 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield and they lived at that address until at least 1954. In 1944 Frank wrote his views on mathematics in response to a newspaper article.

From at least 1968, Frank and Elsie were living at 35 Douglas St, Ashwood, Victoria. In the period 1955 to 1969 Frank authored or co-authored a series of books on Mathematics (see list after Sources at the end of the document).

Death

Frank Roland Potts passed away on the 13th of March 1976 aged 80 years.

Robert Murray Potts (VX130345) served as a Gunner in WWII. He married Joan Alice Morris and had two daughters Ann & Heather. He passed away in 2011.

Frank Hartlett Potts became a chemist, served in WWII. He passed away in 2003.

David Andrew Potts served in WWII; he married Mary in 1953 and was a technician. David passed away in 1992.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (in the period 2015-2019) please see the document attached.