Rifleman Harry Potter

[BottsGreys]

Below is a photo postcard signed on reverse "Rfm Harry Potter 1606" (see images below). A search of Potter and 1606 in the MICs appear to show 2 possibilities. The MICs show a Pte. Harry Potter (1606 and 31893) D Coy, 2nd South Lancashire, who was KIA 03/08/17. It also shows a Pte. Alfred J. Potter 1606 7th King's Royal Rifle Corps and 76457 Sjt Tank Corps. The soldier in the photo is wearing black Rifleman's buttons, therefore, I assumed it a good guess that he was the soldier who served in the Rifle unit, KRRC Alfred J. Potter, who therefore, simply must have had the nickname "Harry." It should be noted, however, that the MIC shows Alfred J. Potter as a Pte, not a Rifleman, in the KRRC.

Recently, I saw an auction on Ebay which featured hometown correspondence which was sent to a member of 1st/5th South Lancashire, James Edington, which addressed him as Rifleman. This James Edington is also listed on CWGC as "Rifleman." Would this then make it any more likely that the fellow in the photo could be the Harry Potter of the 2nd South Lancs noted above--that the 2nd South Lancs could have had Riflemen as the 1st/5th South Lancs apparently did?

Of note in the photo is the fake propaganda Iron Cross worn by Potter on his left breast.

A confused,

Chris

[BottsGreys]

Here is the reverse of the postcard.

[riflegreen]

Chris ,

All privates in rifle regiments are called rifleman , you have to remember that the MIC's were filled in by people not of those regiments , to them a private is a private .

On all the medal rolls all KRRC & rifle Brigade men are classed as rifleman .

Don't forget that not all infantry regiments cosidered themselves as just infantry , they were riflemen .

If your man has rifle buttons then he is the KRRC man who didn't use his given forename .

Banjo

[BottsGreys]

Chris:

Thanks for the clarification--greatly appreciated! I was "overthinking" this one.

Take care,

Chris