Name
John Scott
1878
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/04/1917
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31329
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WARLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
VIII. E. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
John was born in 1878 in Hitchin and his parents were Walter and Annie Scott.
In 1881 the family were living at Dacre Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Walter (41) and Annie (38), with x working as a leather dresser. Their children were: Annie (13), Walter (12), Gideon (10), George (6), William (4), John (2) and Harry and James, both 1.
In 1891 the family were living at 4 Wimbush Grove, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Walter now working as a fellmonger. Of the children Annie, Walter, Gideon, Harry and James were absent. John had been joined by new siblings Lilla (8), Florence and Alfred both 6.
The family have note yet been found in 1901, but William appears to be in the Royal Navy and John had enlisted in 1896 and served in the South African (Boer) War as 5866 Bedfordshire Regiment.
John married Lizzie b 28/1/1882) around 1905 and in 1906 Constance Germine was born and then Ivy Chesterton in 1909 and by 1911, they were living in 45 Dacre Rd, Hitchin. John was working as a jobbing gardener and they had a boarder, Arthur Dearman (33). The census recorded they had been married for 5 years with 2 children, all living. Later they had two more children, John Walter Charles born and Ruby Gertrude in 1915.
Before the war he was a footballer, playing for Hitchin and Letchworth clubs and worked for Kryn Lahy Manufactory Ltd.
Officially recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
He was called up on the 5th August 1916, allocated Regimental Number 31329 and posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment.
He was wounded by shell concussion, picked up wounded and taken to a Casualty Clearing Station, probably at either 20, 32 or 43 Casualty Clearing Stations at Warlincourt, and died there on 11 April 1917
His death occurred during the Battle of Arras when the Battalion was attacking on both sides of the River Cojeul from 5.30am and were held up by uncut wire and machine-guns.
He is buried in Plot 8, Row E, Grave 4 in the Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France.
Additional Information
His pension cards record his widow, Lizzie Scott, as his next of kin living at 45 Dacre Road, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 28s 9d a week from 22 October 1917, for her and their children who were listed as Constance Germine (b 20/3/1906), Ivy Chesterton (b 21/7/1909), John Walter Charles (b 27/1/1912) and Ruby Gertrude (b 19/2/1915).
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
