Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Benjamin Scott was one of 12 children of whom only 10 survived, 8 sons and 2 daughters. His father James Scott Snr was born at Trimdon, County Durham in 1854, his mother Mary Ann Ovington in 1861, Marshall County, West Virginia, America, as were her 3 brothers and sister, their parents were British subjects. In 1871 they were living at Salter Lane, Trimdon, in the home of her uncle Thomas Davidson, her widowed mother, Eleanor Ovington originally from Earsdon, County Durham, is listed as the housekeeper. James and Mary Ann were married in 1878 in the district of Stockton, County Durham, settling at Trimdon where George William was born in 1880, daughter Mary Ellen in 1881, whilst they were living at Salters Lane. James was a boot and shoe maker and also a beer house keeper, neither of the children are listed with them. Over the next 10 years their family grew with the birth of Elizabeth 1884 James Thomas 1886, Robert Atkinson 1888 and Benjamin 1890. James had continued with his two professions and employed Mary Ann Williams (22) as a servant, George William (11), Mary Ann (10), Elizabeth (7) and James Thomas (5) were scholars Robert (3) and Benjamin (1) remained at home with their mother. Between 1992 and 1900 Mary Ann gave birth to 4 sons, John 1892, Joseph 1895, Albert 1898 and Elder 1900. Although their parents continued to run the beer-house George William (21) was employed as a mason and James Thomas (15) a putter below ground at the colliery in 1901.
Mary Ann Scott nee Ovington died in 1901, their son Robert Atkinson Scott in 1905 aged 17 years. Widower James in 1911 was living in 4 rooms at Coop Terrace, Trimdon, having returned to his original trade as a boot maker. Living with him was Joseph (16) a pony driver at the colliery, Albert (13) and Mary Ann (9) attended school and living with them was widow Sarah Jane Ling their house keeper.
Benjamin Scott enlisted at Sunderland during WW1 and was assigned to the same battalion as his elder brother James Thomas, the 9th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment. The 9th Battalion was one of Kitchener’s New Armies formed August 25th 1914 it came under the orders of the 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training they moved to Grantham, Lincolnshire and April 4th 1915 to Frensham for final training. Having risen through the ranks Lance Corporal Scott sailed with his regiment from Liverpool, July 11th 1915, for Gallipoli via Mudros. The troops made an amphibious night landing landing at Sulva Bay, August 6th 1915, which was mismanaged from the outset and very quickly reached a state of stalemate.
Lance Corporal 17472 Benjamin Scott Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment is presumed to have been killed August 9th 1915. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 20959 names of servicemen with no known graves inscribed on the Helles Memorial, panel 47 to 51. The memorial is in the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high and stands on the tip of the Helles peninsular overlooking the sea and can be seen by shipping passing through the Dardanelles. He was 25 years of age and single.
His elder brother Sergeant 7833 James Thomas Scott, 9th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, was also killed during the Sulva Bay landings, August 9th 1915. His name is included on the Helles Memorial, panel 47 to 51. He left a wife and son.
Benjamin’s father James Scott received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Probate was settled at Durham, January 24th 1916. Effects in the sum of £76 15s 6d of Benjamin Scott, Front Street, Trimdon Grange, County Durham, went to his eldest brother George William, licence victualler.
His father James Scott died at Trimdon Grange, March 30th 1920, aged 66 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Benjamin Scott is remembered at Trimdon Grange at T59.02 and T59.05 and at Trimdon Village on T58.07
