Remembering Gideon Potter: A Son of Hawaii Lost at Passchendaele
Gideon Potter’s journey began far from the battlefields of Europe—in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born on August 18, 1897, to Alexander and Margaret Potter. Around 1901, the Potter family made a new home in Hawaii, where Alexander found work as a gardener on a pineapple plantation in the Ewa District, and later at Moanalua Gardens under the employment of S.M. Damon.
School Life in Honolulu
Gideon and his brother, Albert, attended the Honolulu School for Boys, where Gideon stood out not only for his academics but also for his leadership and creativity. In 1913, he played the role of Nadir, a Soldier in the school’s production of The Amulet. That same year, he was named one of the school’s four “prefects”, a role of distinction and responsibility noted in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Enlistment and Service in World War I
At just 19 years old, Gideon made a bold and selfless decision: on November 21, 1916, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. At the time, he listed his occupation as an accountant.
He served as a private in the 72nd Battalion, British Columbia Regiment—a unit known for its courage under some of the war’s harshest conditions.
The Battle of Passchendaele
Gideon was killed in action on October 30, 1917, during an assault south of Passchendaele in Belgium. It was a day described by the Canada at War archive as one of intense confusion and destruction:
“All landmarks shown on reference maps had been obliterated; roads, trees and most buildings were reduced to dust. Nonetheless, the attack goes according to plan.”
Despite the uncertainty of the battlefield, Gideon and his fellow soldiers pressed forward.
Final Resting Place and Memorials
Gideon Potter is buried at Passchendaele Ridge, though his specific gravesite remains unknown. A memorial stands in his honor at the cemetery.
Here at home, his name is etched into Hawaii’s collective memory. Gideon is one of the 101 sons of Hawaii honored on a special plaque at the entrance to the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium—a tribute to those who gave their lives in World War I.
A Legacy of Service
Though he never returned to Hawaii, Gideon Potter’s story remains part of Hawaii’s rich history of sacrifice and service. From a school play in Honolulu to the fields of Belgium, his life serves as a reminder of the global ties and local heroes that shaped the 20th century.
