Was William Potter a Scot???.....

dmd1164 · Post by **dmd1164** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:41 am

I'm stuck on a line of our family.

William Potter married Florence Prior, they were married in England - their 8 children were born in England. I've ordered a copy of the Marriage certificate hoping to answer a question. Who the heck was William Potter??? Until now I assumed he was English - however after looking at what was written on the back of a photo of Florence with 5 of her 8 children that she had with William - I began to wonder if he was indeed a Scot not English as 1st thought. This is part of what was written on the photo.

William Potter was stationed at Hamilton, Scotland before being sent to France. He joined the Machine Gun Corps, when transferred to the Scottish Rifles.

So I'm wondering if an Englishman can join the Scottish Rifles or does he have to be a Scot?

I've double checked Scotlands People for a marriage record so - I think the one I've ordered from England will be the correct one. If anyone can offer some advice re the Scottish Rifles etc I would very much appreciate it.

Regards
Donna

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:35 pm

Donna

It's always been the case that a Scot could join an English regiment, and vice versa. When conscription was involved in WW1, there was most often no choice as regards the regiment. It was different with volunteers.

The other, some would say better known, name for the Scottish Rifles was The Cameronians, - the correct full name being The Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 26th of Foot, The Cameronian Regiment, and the 90th of Foot, The Perthshire Volunteers Light Infantry, - sadly disbanded on 14th May 1968 after 279 years of service in the British Army.

David

dmd1164 · Post by **dmd1164** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:45 pm

Many thanks David,

Guess I'll have to wait for the Marriage certificate.

The information is much appreciated it's a bit more I can add to the history of the family.

Regards
Donna