Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Thomas Scott was the only son of James Thomas Scott Snr and Sarah Orton. His father was born at Trimdon in 1886, Sarah, January 12th 1887 at Silksworth also in County Durham, they married during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1914, either just prior or just after the declaration of war with Germany. James Thomas Scott Snr served as Sergeant 7833, 9th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment. When his son was born, April 14th 1915, he was in training at Frensham and departed for Gallipoli, July 11th 1915 possibly without ever seeing his son.
Sergeant Scott is presumed to have died during the amphibious night landing at Sulva Bay, Gallipoli, August 9th 1915, his sacrifice is recorded as one of 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. James’s uncle, 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 included on the Helles Memorial, panel 47 to 51.
In 1921 James Thomas’s mother re-married in the district Easington 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 Station on T66.02 and T66.05 and at Trimdon Village on T58.07
