James William SCOTT

07 May 1915

THE FIRST LOCAL CASUALTY – Embsay Man Dies of Wounds: Private J. W. Scott

The first local man of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment to meet his death in France is Private J.W. Scott of Embsay. It was rumoured early in the week that he had been severely wounded on Friday last, but reliable information was not forthcoming until Tuesday morning when the parents received the following letter:– “I very much regret to tell you that your son, Private J.W. Scott, died in this hospital early this morning from wounds received in action. Your son was unconscious most of the time he was here.”

Nurse Smyth, Nurse-in-charge, Second London Clearing Hospital, British Expeditionary Force.

Private Scott had resided at Embsay with his parents for some years, and prior to enlisting about eight months ago was employed by the Skipton Rock Company. He was a playing member of the Embsay Cricket Club, being a useful batsman of the aggressive type and very popular with his colleagues. He was 19 years of age and unmarried. Many kind letters and expressions of sympathy have been received by the parents.

Private Scott is said to have met his death in the following manner: A number of men had been sent forward to dig advance trenches and only carried spades. While at this work they were surprised by a number of German who opened fire on them. Having no arms all the men could do was to seek cover, and it was while endeavouring to do so that Scott was shot in the head.

This information, we are told, has been supplied by another Territorial who was in the same party as Private Scott, but escaped unhurt.

14 May 1915

CRAVEN AND THE WAR – TWO CASUALTIES

Another Skipton Territorial, writing on May 7th, states, "It is grand to have a bit of Skipton twist and some Woodbines,” and asks for a tin of milk, of which they see little in the trenches. He goes on:– “No doubt by now you will have heard that young Scott died of his wounds. We have had another two casualties. One poor fellow from Barnoldswick called Bowker is doing nicely, but the other, poor Tommy Foster, got hit through the head and died before he landed at the hospital. I was talking to him one minute and he was shot the next. It is a very bad job, especially for his wife, because she has four children, the oldest only seven.

14 May 1915

EMBSAY – MEMORIAL SERVICE: A MANLY LETTER

On Sunday a memorial service for the late Private Willie Scott, who died in Merville Hospital, and was buried in Merville Cemetery, was incorporated with the morning service at St. Mary's Parish Church. From early morning the White Ensign floated at half-mast from the Church tower. The. Rev. C. V. Brown, M.A., preached an appropriate sermon, in which a touching tribute was paid to our late and gallant soldier, who had voluntarily and courageously gone forth to defend his country's honour. Special hymns were sung, and the ‘Dead March in Saul’ was played. The members of the Embsay Cricket Club attended the service as a mark of respect to their late comrade.

The following is a copy of a letter from Lieut. R. C. Barrett:–

British Expeditionary Force, 3/5/15.

‘‘Dear Mrs. Scott, – It is with great regret that I write to tell you of the passing away of your dear son from this into, we pray, a brighter and better world. It happened only about ten minutes after we had taken over our line of trenches, and I had seen the last of the preceding party leave. It was on Thursday, the 29th April. I was about 20 yards away at the time, and your son had just been posted on sentry duty. The bullet, evidently one fired obliquely and at random, from a long range, struck him in the neck on the right side, passing through and lodging up against the spinal column, eventually causing paralysis. The force of the bullet knocked him over, and he fell to his left side. When I got to him he told me he had been hit on the left side, but after examination I found he was mistaken, as I found where it was.

‘‘Medical aid now came, and he was taken away on a stretcher, as cheerful as anything. In spite of all medical efforts he passed away yesterday, 2/3/15. Scott was always a good and keen soldier; always willing to do anything I ordered him. He was more than this, he was always cheerful and happy, and many a joke and good game of football have we enjoyed together.

‘‘I feel the loss most keenly, and so do all my men. Coming from the same district, and being together so long, made the tie greater. Your son was a good sportsman and a brave man, and he died as he had lived, honourably and gloriously; a good patriot serving his King and his country; an example to his friends and neighbours. May I refer you to comforting words in the Bible-: II. Cor. v., 5 to 8; also Rev. xiv., I3. I consider it my privilege to write this to you, as I was your dear son's platoon officer.

‘‘Yours in sorrow, R. C. BARRETT"

21 May 1915

HOW PRIVATE SCOTT MET HIS DEATH

An officer of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, sends us the following authentic account of the manner in which Pte. Scott, of Embsay, met his death:–

“I was Scott’s platoon commander and had just brought my platoon into the trenches and taken over my portion of the trench from my predecessor. Scott had been posted in one of the ‘bays’ as sentry, or look out man. Unfortunately a stay bullet struck him in the neck and lodged up against his spine, eventually causing paralysis and death. The poor fellow was cheery as anything while we were bandaging him up. The loss has been a great blow to me and every member of my platoon. He was a splendid fellow, an excellent worker, and he died as he had lived – a fine Englishman.”

05 May 1916

SCOTT – In loving memory of Pte. James William Scott, of Embsay, who died of wounds received in France, May 2nd 1915.

Our child is gone, and we are left
The loss of him to mourn;
But we may hope to meet again
With Christ before His throne.

From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters

04 May 1917

SCOTT – In loving memory of Pte. James William Scott, of Embsay, who died of wounds received in action in France, May 2nd, 1915.

Two sad years have passed away
Since this great sorrow fell,
But still today we mourn the loss
Of one we loved so well.

The shock was great, the blow severe,
We little thought his death so near;
Only those who have lost are able to tell
The pain that is felt at not saying farewell.

From his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

02 May 1919

SCOTT – In loving memory of Private James W. Scott, who died of wounds in France, May 2nd, 1915.

We are always thinking of you, dear brother,
And our hearts are sad with pain;
Can we e’er forget that footstep
Or that dear smiling face again.
Dearly loved.

We often think of days gone by,
When we were all together;
A shadow o’er our life is cast,
A dear-one gone for ever.
We prayed for a safe returning,
And longed to clasp your hand;
But God has postponed the meeting
Till we meet in the Better Land.

From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, Elm Tree Cottage, Embsay.

07 May 1920

SCOTT – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. J. W. Scott, 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s Regt., died of wounds received in action, May 2nd, 1915.

Five years have passed and still we miss you,
Never shall your memory fade;
Sweetest thoughts shall ever linger
On the unknown grave where you are laid.

From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother, Elm Tree Cottage, Embsay.