Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust

12/02/2026

Tuesday to the Wargrave Local History Society meeting with Brig Tony Verey and Capt Andrew French to explain about the Berkshire Yeomanry, Trooper Potts VC, the making of the memorials in The Forbury and the educational outreach we have been delivering since 2012 to schools and local groups. We highlight the great support the project received from our sponsors Haslams Estate Agents and Patron Chris Tarrant OBE.

We showed a video of the making of the memorial by sculptor Tom Murphy, casting by Morris Singer foundry and stonework by A F Jones Stonemasons

On a very wet evening we were astonished that 40 people turned up to the Recreation Ground in Warfield to listen to us. Perhaps it was the temptation of tea and cake at the end.

Image is of their Chairman Peter (to the left) with Tony and Andrew. Should have positioned Peter so he did not have the image on his head!

Excellent feedback from the Speaker Sec Sarah:

You certainly gave us a very professional account of Trooper Potts's heroic action. It was amazing how many original photos you had amassed of the Berkshire Yeomanry: in Reading, at the docks and on the ship - and especially, in Gallipoli itself - and even video. The letters home gave the story a very personal touch and made us realise what it was like. Thank you, too, for taking the trouble to find out about the VC link with Wargrave and liaise with Peter Delaney for a photo.
It is a terrific achievement that you managed to raise the money for a memorial to Trooper Potts and give him long-delayed but fully-deserved recognition. How lucky to have met Chris Tarrant and got good sponsors. The story of the making of the memorial was also most interesting. It was lovely to see how honoured the man who carved the emblems felt. The work carries something special within it with people like that working on it.
It is wonderful that you have managed to carry the story into schools. We should not forget. I'll bet the shovel race is always popular.

Routes of Remembrance Gallipoli & Dardanelles International Gallipoli Association Reading Voluntary Action

18/01/2026

Then on Saturday I spotted that the hole created for the installation of the PC Harper stone has been filled in. Puzzled. Will ask question of RBC officer who knows all.

12/11/2025

Armistice Day at the Trooper Potts VC Memorial.

We welcomed Sue Roberts DL, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, and Mr Mert Mergan 3rd Secretary of the Turkish Embassy. They were escorted from the Abbey Gateway to the memorial by Mini Police from Katesgrove Primary and Brig Tony Verey QVRM TD DL. The service was led by the Revd Sonya Wratten from Reading Minster.

After the formalities were over we noticed a group of young people over by the Crown Court. Their teacher explained they were a group of SEND students from Reading College, could they lay two wreaths they had made. These are the two larger wreaths with green leaves in the image.

Everyone made way.

Students at Reading College were so important to the project. They joined our committee, did projects to raise funds and gave us young people's perspective on the height and design of the memorial.

A few years ago I was invited to deliver a Trooper Potts VC session to one of their SEND classes. They were very practical. The plan was to recreate what it would have been like to be in the trenches inches deep in water. So out came the bucket and water and a "volunteer" student stood in the water for quite some time.

Activate Learning Paul Emberlin Richard Duckett Türkiye in the UK

The Berkshire Lieutenancy The Reading Chronicle What's On Reading Imperial War Museum London

12/11/2025

30/10/2025

Come join us on Armistice Day Tuesday 11th November 10:40 am at the Trooper Potts VC and Berkshire Yeomanry Memorials, in front of the Crown Courts - The Forbury.

The event will mark the 10th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Memorials on 4 October 2015 by the then Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire and Mr Chris Tarrant OBE.

There will be a service of remembrance and reflection led by The Revd Sonya Wratten, Vicar of Reading Minster. It will start at 10:40am

We are honoured that Sue Roberts DL will represent the Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire

We will be joined by descendants of Trooper Potts VC and Trooper Andrews. .

All are welcome. Please arrive for 10:40

The Berkshire Lieutenancy Routes of Remembrance Gallipoli & Dardanelles International Gallipoli Association