Frank Forbes Potts
- Born: 1865, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2
- Married: 1893, Emmaville, New South Wales, Australia 1
- Died: 6 Jul 1944, Taree, New South Wales, Australia 3
- Buried: Dawson River General Cemetery, Taree, N.S.W., Australia 4
 Research Notes:
Abstract of the Will of Frank Forbes Potts late of Taree in the State of New South Wales - Retired Police Magistrate, written 1 Mar 1934, probate 22 Nov 1944.
Beneficiaries: son Alexander Peter Potts, wife Beatrice Gertrude Potts, daughter Beatrice Selina Latham, daughter Hilda Ray Flett
Witnesses: W.W. MacDONALD, J.P., Bootmaker, Manning St., Taree. E.J. CORDNER, Motor Engineer, Pulteney St., Taree.
Estate valued at £16635:19:11 nett. 9
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" MR. FRANK FORBES POTTS.
One who has been associated with the life of Taree over a period of many years passed away in his sleep at his home, Macquarie Street, dur ing Wednesday week, in the person of Mr. Frank Forbes Potts, retired Police Magistrate, at the age of 79 years. The late Mr. Potts had been comparatively well arid happy the previous day.
The deceased gentleman, who was very highly respected, had been connected with the Justice Department for many years. He had been Police Magistrate at Taree on two occasions over a period of 30 years and retired frnm the position 14 years ago owing to advancing age. The late Mr. Potts had also been Police Magistrate at various other places, including Inverell and Muswellbrook and had been acting Stipendiary Magistrate in Sydney. Mr. Potts was a gentleman of retiring disposition, very popular in his position as Police Magistrate, the duties of which he carried out with justice tempered with mercy. He was devoted to his wife and family and home life and the death of his son, Flying Officer Peter Potts, who lost his life in air operations at New Guinea four months ago, was a great blow to the old gentleman, he being greatly attached to Peter. It was a coincidence that he passed away on his son's birthday.
Mr. Potts was instrumental in having typewriters installed in every court for the taking of depositions. Hitherto the depositions were taken in handwriting and were at times not legible. The Government thought Mr. Potts' suggestion a good one and had them installed. This is something for which those concerned are deeply indebted to the late Mr. Potts.
In addition to his widow, the late Mr. Potts is survived by two daughters Mrs. Walter Latham (wife of Rev. W. Latham, Taree) and Mrs. F. Flett, of Taree. In addition to his son, Flying Officer Peter Potts, deceased, a daughter, died in infancy.
Mr. Potts is also survived by a brother (Mr. W. E. Potts), who, up to the time he retired, was a leading solicitor at Narrabri, and two sisters Mrs. W. Hughes and Mrs. N. Cameron, both of Sydney.
Deceased gentleman was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Potts, of Glen Innes. He was born in Sydney, but his father, being a forwarding agent, caused him to be located in Tamworth during his school days. He was there educated at the Hole Grammar School, which was conducted by an uncle of Mr. Frank Hole, of Taree. Mr. Potts entered the Justice Department in 1886 at Tamworth, and two years later (1887) he was promoted to the rank of Clerk of Petty Sessions and appointed to Eden. He was C.P.S. afterwards at Hillgrove, Emmaville, Bingara, Murrurundi and Gunnedah, and while at the latter place he was promoted to the position ot Police Magistrate, his first appointment in that capacity being Bingara, from which town he came to Taree. Here, in 1918, he received appointment as Stipendiary Magistrate in Sydney. From there he was transferred to Inverell as Police Magistrate, in 1921, and in October, 1923, he returned to Taree, where he was the resident Police Magistrate until his retirement in 1930. Mr. Potts made his home in this town and spent the last 14 years in retirement, well earned by his 45 years of very faithful and loyal service. When he had health and strength, his home hobby was bees, which he loved looking after and whose ways he perfectly understood. As a young man he was considered a footrunner out of the ordinary and an all-round athlete, and he also indulged in cricket. However, in later years he played golf for recreation, and was often to be seen on the showground, when the course was there, in association with the late Mr, A. A. Maloney.
The late Mr. Potts was highly esteemed for his gentlemanly manner and kindly consideration of all who came before him in connection with his magisterial duties...." 5
Marriage Information:
Frank married Beatrice Gertrude O'Donnell, daughter of Daniel Morris O'Donnell and Jane Rankin, in 1893 in Emmaville, New South Wales, Australia 1. (Beatrice Gertrude O'Donnell was born in 1874 in Emmaville, New South Wales, Australia 6, died on 7 Apr 1947 in Taree, New South Wales, Australia 7 and was buried in Dawson River General Cemetery, Taree, N.S.W., Australia 8.)
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