Percy Scott

1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Percy Scott enlisted in the Territorial Force (Notts & Derby Regiment) on 19 April 1913 and when war was declared in August 1914 transferred to embodied service and drafted to France on 2 March 1915. Percy and three others from the battalion, Sergeant Arthur Phillipson and Privates Ernest King and Albert Smith, were killed in the trenches by a shell on 8 August 1915. He is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. II. E. 39). The history of the Cemetery indicates that Percy's grave was brought in from elsewhere after the Armistice. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. 'History of the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919’, Capt. WCC Weetman MC CdG: ‘The Salient June 1915-October 1915’ - Mentioning the casualties following the ‘activities of July 30th and 31st’, the author continued ‘This total was increased from day to day by incessant shelling, trench mortars and rifle grenades, and by the unfortunate inaccuracy of one of our 6-inch naval guns which persisted in firing into our trenches until its identity was eventually discovered. During the first fortnight in the Salient here, our casualties were no fewer than four officers wounded [named], 36 other ranks killed, or died of wounds, and 90 wounded. Included amongst the killed were Sergt A Phillipson who throughout had shewn the utmost coolness and gallantry.' CWGC - History of Sanctuary Wood Cemetery (extract): 'Sanctuary Wood Cemetery is located 5 kms east of Ieper [Ypres]. Sanctuary Wood is one of the larger woods in the commune of Zillebeke. It was named in November 1914, when it was used to screen troops behind the front line. It was the scene of fighting in September 1915 and was the centre of the Battle of Mount Sorrel (2-13 June 1916) involving the 1st and 3rd Canadian Divisions. There were three Commonwealth cemeteries at Sanctuary Wood before June 1916, all made in May-August 1915. The first two were on the western end of the wood, the third in a clearing further east. All were practically obliterated in the Battle of Mount Sorrel, but traces of the second were found and it became the nucleus of the present Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. At the Armistice, the cemetery contained 137 graves. From 1927 to 1932, Plots II-V were added and the cemetery extended as far as 'Maple Avenue', when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields. They came mainly from the communes immediately surrounding Ypres, but a few were taken from [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)

Three other members of the battalion were killed with Percy Scott on 8 August 1915; Sergeant Arthur Phillipson and Privates Ernest King and Albert Smith. Another member of the battalion, Private F Gumsley, was killed the same day. (See records on this Roll of Honour) CWGC additional information:- 'Son of Joseph and Lizzie Scott, of 18, Richmond St., New Town, Retford.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'At Rest' Worksop Guardian 20 August 1915 - 'Four Territorials killed by shell fire' 'News has reached Retford of the death at the front of four of the Territorials, killed by one shell whilst serving in the trenches. Of the four the best known is Sergt. Arthur Phillipson, younger son of Mr and Mrs Phillipson, of Richard Street, Newtown, joined the Retford Volunteers about 10 years ago and remained in the company after it transferred to the Territorial Association. He was an excellent soldier, being very keen in learning his duties, and he soon rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was also a very good shot, and his advice on the rifle and all matters appertaining to the duties of a soldiers was always readily given. His death has come as a painful shock to his parents, for he was an exceptionally loyal and dutiful son. He was closely associated with St Alban’s Church which he regularly attends. A short time ago we recorded with pleasure a tribute from his platoon commander after a singularly brave deed performed in the trenches. The Lieutenant wrote that he was proud to have such a Sergeant under his command. 'Sergt. Phillipson was killed, together with Lce-Corpl Scott and Ptes King and Smith by a shell during the recent heavy fighting when several German trenches were captured. He had been employed at the Rubber Works for many years and was highly respected by everyone for his quiet and gentlemanly disposition. 'Lce-Corpl Scott (20) whose parents reside nearly opposite those of Sergt Phillipson, who was another of the victims, was formerly employed at Messrs. Jenkin’s Beehive Works. The news of his death is conveyed in a letter from Pte Farrand [1474 Private Frank Farrand, KIA 14 October 1915. See record on this Roll of Honour] as follows:- “ I am writing to you with deep regret to inform you that poor Percy was killed this morning (Monday) along with three more lads by a shell. Two battalions on the left of our Company were to make an attack at dawn and after an hour’s bombardment of the Germans, they did so and our Company had to file into the trenches they had left, so we came in for a good deal of shell fire. It was while we were holding this trench that Percy and the three lads were killed. I was in the next bay and got a good shaking but nothing more. We are all sorry to lose him, for he was very much liked by all in the platoon. He was a capable NCO and we were the only two from Retford in his section, so I shall miss him very much.” 'Pte King was the only son of Mr Ambrose King. Dominie Cross Road, and also formerly employed Messrs. Jenkin’s Beehive Works. He had been in the Territorials three years and was 21 years of age. 'Private Albert Smith attended the first camp with the Terriers just before war broke out. News of his death has been received from Pte Sly, his chum in the trenches. Deceased was formerly employed as a moulder, at Messrs. Jenkin’s. His parents reside in Alma Road.' Retford Times 20 August 1915 - 'L/Cpl Percy Scott' 'Lance-Corpl Percy Scott was the only son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Scott, 18 Richard Street, Newtown, Retford. The deceased, who was 19 years of age, was a fitter at Messrs W J Jenkins and Co’s engineering works. Last year's camp at Filey was the second he had attended with the Retford Territorials. Mrs Scott handed to our representative a letter which was received on Sunday morning from Belgium, written by Pte F Farrand [1474 Private Frank Farrand, KIA 14 October 1915. See record on this Roll of Honour] who describes the circumstances as to how the Retford Soldiers met their deaths. “I am writing to you with deep regret to inform you that poor Percy was killed on Monday morning along with three more lads by a shell. It occurred this way. Two battalions on the left of our Company were to make an attack at dawn. After about an hours bombardment of the German trenches, those on our left attacked the trenches in front, so our Company had to file down into the trench they had left, so we came in for a good deal of shell fire. I am very sorry to say it was while we were holding this trench that Percy and the other three lads were killed. I was in the next bay and got a good shaking but I am pleased to say, nothing more. We are all very sorry to lose him for he was very much liked by all in the platoon. He was a capable NCO and he and I, being the only two from Retford in this section. I shall miss him very much. He was a great chum of mine and I am sure you have my sincere sympathies in you great loss.' Ordsall St Alban's parish magazine, September 1915, Honour to the Fallen: 'Percy Scott ... been killed in France or Belgium ... Percy Scott, Ernest King, Frank Stockdale and Arthur Phillipson were regular in their attendance at St Alban’s church and were among the most promising of our younger churchmen. Of such soldiers we had great hopes that they would exercise a strong influence for good on other lads in the years to come. All too soon they have fallen, leaving a wide gap in the ranks at home and we pray that their friends and relations may be comforted in their grief and that other lads seeing what has been done will follow their example in self-sacrifice and manly courage.' (Retford Local Studies Library, ref 942.52 ORD) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Joseph was his legatee. Research by Colin Dannatt