Potter received his commission as District Inspector on 27 April 1901 having completed his cadetship at the Depot, Phoenix Park, Dublin.

[8] On 23 April 1921 District Inspector Potter was captured by the 3rd (South) Tipperary Brigade, IRA, following the Hyland's Cross Ambush.

Dan Breen and Con Moloney returned to battalion headquarters, while Seán Hogan's Column withdrew northwards in the direction of the Galtee Mountains.

As Dinny Lacey's (No.1) Column prepared to leave towards the south, a small party of British soldiers accompanying two horse-drawn carts unexpectedly approached from Clogheen and were immediately fired upon.

As part of a new strategy, he was held as a hostage for the safe release of Thomas Traynor, an IRA volunteer (and father of ten young children), then under sentence of death at Mountjoy Jail.

[15] Accounts from Rathgormack, County Waterford suggest he was kept for at least one night at a nearby Ringfort before being taken down the hill to a field then owned by Power's of Munsboro, where he met his ultimate fate.

[16] At 7p.m., on 27 April, following news of Traynor's execution by hanging, he was shot to death,[17] and hastily buried in a shallow grave on the banks of the Clodagh River.

During the Truce, by arrangement through specially appointed Liaison Officers, Potter's body was disinterred by the IRA and conveyed to Clonmel where it was returned to his widow, Lilias.

[23] Two days later he was brought to Cahir and buried with full military honours at the Church of Ireland cemetery at Kilcommon, 4 kilometres south of the town.

The funeral, presided over by Bishop Miller of Waterford, and attended by the Band of the Lincolnshire Regiment, the locally stationed Royal Field Artillery and officers and men of the R.I.C.

[25][26][27] Lilias and the four children (Hilda, Georgina, Gilbert Charles, and Freddie) soon after had a stormy crossing of the Irish Sea by cattle boat before settling in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.

For some time, the sale of the damaged motor car which realised £50, £25 back-pay due her husband, an insurance policy to the value of £300 and some sundry personal effects were all that came to Lily.

The two surviving children, Hilda and Gilbert Charles, lived for some time with their uncle in Liverpool and with various other relations during holidays from school.

Gilbert was surprised but happy to learn from many locals in the Cahir area across the political spectrum that his father had been held in high regard as a kindly and honourable man,[32] notwithstanding his participation on the 'wrong side' of the war.

He will let us meet agan ---- My walking sticks are for you --- one for Charles, Give Freddy something --- Will you write again to [Illeg] Boyle for the cups silver forks and spoons Golf clubs, balls tennis racket to you Lily --- I cannot find out when I am to be released.

[34] I don't know if you can approach any person connected with it --- I was told a question of exchange might be raised, I wonder does the Government care enough about one who has been their servant for over 20 years to make an effort in my direction?

How awful that I should have brought her this trouble ---If you see Lily soon tell her that her goodness to me and devoted love are felt by me and are a treasure in my affliction ---I pray for her and the prayers are heard.

I want --- (1) Clean long drawers (2) Clean long cotton vest (3) Clean cotton shirt (4) pair socks (5) big boots [Illeg] inside with insoles --- the K would suit best (6) Waterproof coat (7) Safety razor with two dozen new blades (8) Shaving brush, soap, a small sponge (9) Tooth brush If you put the lot in cloth haversack like the RIC have I could carry it --- If impossible to send don’t be troubled as the people I meet are really kind and could supply everything except a safety razor --- Now darling wife God will help us.

Potter Enclosed in box for my wife Wrist watch Gold ring Cigarette holder Silver match box Set of keys Cigarette case Letter for her and the Bishop of Waterford Dáil Éireann – Volume 3–22 December 1921 DEBATE ON TREATY Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine New York Times contemporary report of Potter's disappearance.