Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust

11/10/2026

On Thursday was invited to be interviewed at 8:40 by Rich Clarke on BBC Radio Berkshire. This was to link to a story about the council's proposal to name the A33 after Sir John Madejski. The link was the story behind the naming of Trooper Potts Way on the north side of the station.

Going back to emails in Sept 2013 the idea was first briefed to us by then Cllr Tony Page who wrote to me "Last night the Planning Applications Committee were asked to consider naming of 2 roads serving the northern interchange of Reading Station. Following my proposal the committee agreed Trooper Potts Way and Bagnall Way (after a Huntley and Palmer steam loco)"

Suitable signage then had to be agreed in discussions in early 2014. We consulted with the family of Fred to get the text correct and with Michael Naxton (then curator of Michael Ashcroft's VC Collection) about the image of the Victoria Cross to incorporate on the sign

The sign was unveiled 5th April 2014. The Queen opened the new station July 2014 .

It was all very timely.

99 years earlier, in April 1915, Fred sailed from Bristol Docks with his comrades to Egypt and then on to fight in Gallipoli where he gained his VC for rescuing his severely wounded comrade Arthur Andrews from under the Turkish trenches whilst under constant gunfire.

In May 2014 we announced the location of the Trooper Potts VC and Berkshire Yeomanry memorials. Network Rail (who had led the construction of the new station) had donated a significant sum to the cost of the memorial, our thanks as ever to then MP for Reading Rob Wilson for brokering that.

The Memorials in front of the Crown Court were unveiled on 4 October 2015, the award of Fred's VC had been announced (Gazetted) 1st October 1915

VC Paving stone to Fred Potts is sited infront of the Forbury War memorial, unveiled 21 August 2015.

The new ward in the RBH "The Fred Potts Ward" was opened in 2025, naming arose from the Hospital's consultation process and was a surprise to us.

The naming of Sir John Madeiski Way? That was considered at planning that evening. Whilst Councillors supported the proposal the Legal Department advice was to Defer the decision for further investigation, due to concern about the businesses on the road having to change all their addresses (should have thought of that before!).

25/05/2026

Thursday to Brock Barracks along the Oxford Road. This was to enable one of our members, who is writing a book about Reading's sculptures, to take a clear image of the commemorative stone to Trooper Potts VC.

Have attempted to add this much clearer image to the War Memorials on Line and the IWM websites.

We also has the opportunity to view the war memorial.

Also to see the Victoria Cross Room in the Sword Bar where it was interesting to note images above the entrance of "Wellington on the Morning of Waterloo" and "Napoleon's retreat from Moscow".

There was an information panel to Sgt James Welch VC who was born in Stratfield Saye, https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/530/James--WELCH

Also one to Cprl Reginald Nickless MM
(medals in image are all repros).

22/05/2026

A delight yesterday to find that the Potts VC Memorial has been picked up by this site in Denmark which specialises in the production of bronze figures ..https://www.bronzefigurenkaufen.de
https://www.vanderkrogt.net/statues/object.php?record=gbse199

Bronzefigurenkaufen.de Imperial War Museum London

Statue group showing Trooper Fred Potts rescuing Trooper Arthur Andrews at the Battle of Scimitar Hill, Gallipoli, 1915. For this action Potts was awarded the Victoria Cross. Unveiled on 4 October 2015.

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.