James Scott
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Jame Scott was the son of John and Janet Linton Scott. His father John was born in Roxburgh, Scotland, and his mother Janet was born in Selkirk, Scotland. They were married, probably in Scotland, in about 1879 and had six children: John b. abt 1881 and Rachel Haldane b. abt 1883. who were both born in Scotland, and their siblings who were born in Mansfield Woodhouse and baptised at Mansfield Woodhouse St Edmund King & Martyr, Annie Kemp b. 1884, James birth registered 1886 (J/F/M) bap. 13 January 1887, Tom birth registered 1889 (J/F/M) and Margaret Janet birth registered 1891 (J/F/M). John, a law clerk general, his wife and son John were living in St Andrew's, Midlothian, in 1881 but had moved to Mansfield Woodhouse by the time their third child, Annie, was born in 1884. The family was recorded on the 1891 Census at Clerkson's Hall, Duke of Portland's Office, Vale Road, Mansfield Woodhouse - John was employed as a land agent's clerk. However, by 1901 the family was living on Sykes Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. John was a licensed victualler ('at home') and his eldest son, John was a joiner (working from home), the two eldest daughters had no occupation, while James (14), Tom and Margaret were at school. By 1911 John and Janet were manager and manageress of The Priory Club, a working men's club, in Mansfield Woodhouse and lived on the premises. In the home on the night of the census were four of their six children: their married daughter Rachel Marlow (m. William George Marlow 1903), Annie, of no occupation, James a plumber (house) and Tom a joiner (house). Their son Tom had married Lily Herbert in 1907 and they and their daughter Catherine Annie (b. 1907) were living in Mansfield; John was a coal miner hewer. The youngest child, Margaret, has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census but she married Sapper Alfred Grant. 3/4 Royal Engineers, of Montreal, Canada, in London in August 1916. The family had moved to 66 Nottingham Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, by the time James enlisted in November 1914. His father John died in March 1916 and his mother in 1935.
James enlisted on 12 November 1914 aged 28 on a Territorial Force engagement (four years service UK). He was posted to the Sherwood Foresters (3084 Private) and was discharged on 27 November 1914 under Territorial Force Regulations Para 1556 (II). James then joined the Seaforth Highlanders. James was killed in action at Poelcapelle on 4 October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 132 to 135). Poelcapelle is situated about five miles north-east of Ypres and during the war was a strongly fortified German position. The British attempted to take the position during the Third Battle of Ypres when successful British attacks were made in late September and early October 1917, culminating in the Battle for Poelcappalle on 9 October.
CWGC: Son of Mrs Janet Scott, of 66, Nottingham Rd., Mansfield. Mansfield Reporter, 19 October 1917: ‘Sergt. Jas. Scott, Mansfield. News was received in Mansfield yesterday of the death of Sergeant (sic) James Scott, son of the late Mr John Scott and Mrs Scott, 66 Nottingham-road, and much sympathy is felt for the mother and sisters. Prior to joining the army he worked for Mr Howarth, plumber, and served his apprenticeship with Mr Stenson of this town. He was in the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, official information has not yet been received by the relatives, but the sad news comes from a friend of the deceased soldier.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.ui) Mansfield Reporter, 2 November 1917: ‘Mansfield Man Killed in Action. We have already announced the death of Private (sic) James Scott, of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, but we gather more details from a letter one of his soldier friends has sent home. It is as follows:- ‘My dear friend, It is with the greatest sorrow and grief I write you these few lines saying that Jimmy Scott was killed in action on the 4th October, east of Poelcappel (sic). I did not know until lately about poor Jimmy, as I had been away to a rest camp. Our regiment had heavy losses that day. I may say those of us who were very intimate with Jimmy miss him very much, and I have been asked to convey to you our heartfelt sorrow at your great loss. I am sure his loss to you will be most severe, but you must be of good cheer, as one never knows the minute when they will be called away from this world. Out here life is very uncertain. I have had many narrow escapes in this war, and also good luck at times. I have been home twice myself. I gave my Company-Sergt-Major Jimmy’s mother’s address, so I expect she will have heard from him, or had official notice from the War Office. When I was with Jimmy last he was in the best of health and spirits, and was quite confident of coming out of action. In our company there was only one sergeant who came back from the attack. Any more details that come to me I will send on to you. I will make enquiries about his pocket-book and watch. If they are sent to his mother, please let me know.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 2 November 1917: ‘Scott. Killed in Action, on October 4th, at Poelchapelle, Sergeant (sic) J Scott, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, son of the late Mr J and Mrs Scott, of 66, Nottingham-road. Mansfield.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
