Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Thomas 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 bootmaker. 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.
James Thomas Scott was married during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1914 in the district of Easington to Sarah Orton born January 12th 1887 at Silksworth, County Durham, settling at Trimdon Colliery, this was either just prior or just after the declaration of war with Germany in August 1914. He enlisted at West Hartlepool and was assigned to 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 Sergeant 7833 James Thomas 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.
Sergeant 7833 James Thomas Scott 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 29 years of age.
His younger brother, 25 year old, Lance Corporal Benjamin 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 also included on the Helles Memorial, panel 47 to 51.
While James was undergoing training in England his wife gave birth to a son, April 14th 1915, whom she named James Thomas Scott.
Sarah received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their child, also his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at their home address at Trimdon, County Durham.
Her father-in-law James Scott died at Trimdon Grange, March 30th 1920. She re-married in the district of Easington in 1921 to coal miner/putter George W. Gill, with whom she had a further 3 children, Hilda born July 23rd 1923, Una, November 25th 1924, Orton, October 28th 1926-died 2004. In 1939 they and James Thomas Scott, employed as an assurance representative, were living at 24, Russell Crescent, Trimdon Station, in the same household was John Orton a coal miner.
James Thomas Scott Jnr served during WW2 as Lance Corporal 4461094 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Whilst serving in the Middle East he died November 11th 1942 in Egypt and interred at Heliopolis War Cemetery, 10 kilometres N E of Cairo, grave 3. D. 4. During WW2 Heliopolis was a hospital centre for the sick and wounded mainly from the Western Desert campaigns. He was 28 years of age and single. Awards 1939-45 Medal and Africa Star.
Probate was settled at Durham, November 23rd 1942. James Thomas Scott of 24, Russell Crescent, Trimdon Station, County Durham, effects £809 19s 8d to widow Sarah Gill. Details as regards the demise of Sarah Gill-Scott nee Orton as yet unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Thomas Scott is remembered at Trimdon Grange at T59.02 and T59.05 and at Trimdon Village on T58.07
