292 Potter Parade Trentham Military Camp Upper Hutt, street sign 2018
Reason for the name
This street was named in honour of Colonel Harry Rowland Potter a veteran of the Boer war and the first Commandant of Trentham Military Camp during WW1. Most streets within NZDF Camps and Bases are named in honour of prominent people, battles, campaigns, ships, aircraft and places creating a rich history of our military service. Potter Parade is a prominent street within the Camp compound.
Colonel Harry Rowland Potter was a veteran of the Boer War in South Africa and later the Commandant of Trentham Military Camp during its major developmental stages 1915 – 1918. The importance of his task is reflected in his being awarded the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
Author: The Poppy Places Trust
Lieutenant Potter went to South Africa as part of the 5th Contingent. Upon arrival in South Africa volunteers from No 11 Company (Auckland) became 1st NZ Battery, Rhodesian Field Artillery. The rest of contingent were re-organised into A, B, C & D Squadrons in South Africa. C Squadron split from the rest & joined the Kimberley flying column, based in Kimberley. A, B & D Squadrons joined the 2nd Brigade Rhodesian Field Force on 14/8/1900.
Further Military Service
Transferred in South Africa as a Captain in 7th Contingent Staff
New Zealand Permanent Forces since 1905
Commandant Main Body Camp, Awapuni August 1914
Camp Commandant Trentham September 1914 - 20 March 1917
Awarded the CMG in 1917
New Zealand Staff Corps, rank Colonel (Temporary Brigadier); Officer Commanding the Northern Command January 1919
Commander Northern Military District February 1921
Transferred to Reserve of Officers Class 1(a) October 1930
Retired from list 1936.
The online cenotaph indicates that Colonel Potter was a member of the The Zeerust Cup Match, won by the “Right Section New Zealand Battery” in May 1901 while on active service in South Africa, was possibly New Zealand’s first representative rugby league match. A letter presented with the trophy noted that it was a token of friendship intended to remind the team of the happy days passed amongst the Zeerust folks. The Zeerust Cup, a silver cup, is held by the Auckland War Memorial Museum and was loaned to the Rugby Museum, Palmerston North c2011. See the gallery for a photo of the cup.
Honours and Awards
Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Queen's South Africa Medal (Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 clasps)
Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) Twice
MiD. London Gazette, 29 July 1902
New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal 1920 for 24 years 284 days service
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as regent for his father, King George III. It is named in honour of two military saints, St Michael and St George. The Order of St Michael and St George was originally awarded to those holding commands or high position in the Mediterranean territories acquired in the Napoleonic Wars, and was subsequently extended to holders of similar office or position in other territories of the British Empire. It is at present awarded to men and women who hold high office or who render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country, and can also be conferred for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs. This award certainly reflects Colonel Potters role as the Commandant of this major NZ military establishment during WW1.
His service record notes an "Indian Durbar medal" In 1911 a Delhi Durbar medal was issued to commemorate King George V's Coronation Durbar celebration in British India, December 1911. Colonel Potter was training in India during this time. Delhi Durbar Medals were instituted to by Great Britain to commemorate each Delhi Durbar where the new Emperor of India was proclaimed, in 1903 for Edward VII, and in 1911 for George V. On both occasions the medals, one and a half inches in diameter, were awarded in both gold and silver and worn on the left chest suspended from a ribbon one and a quarter inches wide. See the gallery for an example of this medal.
Colonel Potter married Mary Elizabeth nee Gabb and they had three children: Ema Mary; Joan Alberta, and Dorothy Gwendolyn.
He died on 29 November 1965 Age 90
THE CAMP OF TRENTHAM
The old Camp's lights are burning still,
And brighter than before;
The rifle range below the hill,
Sends out the same old roar;
But you can't hear it, can you, Bill?
And you'll come back no more.
