Wensley Scott Otter
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Otter, married his wife Ann Robinson, in 1874. John worked for many years as a drayman and carter for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Co. in Worksop. In 1881 they were resident at 33 Church Walk, Worksop where they had two children, John H, born 1879, and Wensley Scott Otter, born 1887. For over the next 20 years the family were living in 13 Grafton Street. By 1901, both sons were employed as railway clerks. At the end of the next decade, Wensley found himself around the Peterborough area as in early 1911 he married Emily M Martin registered at Peterborough, and on the 2nd April 1911 they were living at Pertenhall, St Neots, Hunts, the householder, Charles Banks, being the uncle of Wensley’s wife. It must have been only a few days later that the couple sailed on a ship called ‘Magenta’, which left Liverpool and arrived on Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on the 22nd April 1911 and on June 1st were living at 836 6th Ave W. Calgary, Alberta.
Serge. Wensley Scott Otter Worksop Guardian 2 November 1917 A great bereavement has overshadowed Mr. and Mrs. Otter, 13, Grafton Street, Worksop, by the death in action of their son, Serge. Wensley Scott Otter, of the 62nd Battalion. Canadians, news of which has recently been received. Serge. Scott Otter was born in Church Walk, where his parents then lived, 30 years ago, and spent the greater part of his young life in Worksop, where his father and mother are held in much respect and where he is remembered by many with fondness. He was a close friend of the late Douglas Hardcastle and Ernest Layhe, both of whom have fallen in the war. Otter immigrated to Canada six and half years ago, and before then he had been employed at Sheffield Club. He settled in Victoria and was there three years when the call came for men and he, like so many gallant lads in the Dominion, responded to the needs of the mother country. He joined the 50th Gordon Highlanders, subsequently transferring to the 62nd Battalion in which he was Coy.-Quartermaster Sergt. He was killed in action on August 25th. Serge. Otter leaves a widow, a Peterborough’ lady and one child at Victoria, and great sympathy are expressed with them as with his parents in Worksop. He was a fine well conducted man and a true and gallant soldier.
Commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Research by Colin Dannatt Also on the United Methodist Church Worksop Ebenezer Chapel Potter Street (now demolished) Memorial. The Memorial is now (2015) held at the Bassetlaw Museum Grove Street Retford. Robert Ilett December 2015
