Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Robson Scott, one of 10 children of whom only 8 had survived by 1911, was the 2nd eldest of 5 sons and had 2 elder and 3 younger sisters. His father James Scott was born in 1869 at Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, as was his mother Margaret Robson, known as Maggie, born May 19th 1869 at 8:30 a.m. at 3, Melound Place. They were married July 30th 1886, their daughter Margaret Miller Scott was born later that same year. By 1891 Margaret had given birth to a further 3 children, Robert, October 13th 1888 at 2 p.m. at 3, Upper Village, Elizabeth in 1889 who unfortunately died within 9 months and Thomas Robson, at 11.45 p.m. August 22nd 1890 at 2, Upper Village, where Margaret is listed in the census of 1891 as living there alone with her 3 children. William was the last of their children to be born in Scotland, March 19th 1893, as they had moved to England by 1895 settling in Gateshead, County Durham, the birthplace of James, May 25th 1895, also John, 1897, Walter William, August 4th 1900 and Mary born in 1901 at 12, George Street. James Snr supported his family employed as a stone mason. Their youngest daughters Kate and Sarah were born in 1902 and 1908 respectively, unfortunately Mary had died by 1911 as had her mother Margaret Scott nee Robson in 1910 aged 43 years.
James was living with all his children at 179, Marian Street, Gateshead in 1911, including eldest daughter Margaret who had married steel worker John Spoor in 1906 and their children James (3) and Maggie (1). With the exception of Robert (22) all the male members of the family were employed and assisting their father to support the family. Thomas Robson (20) was a casual labourer, William (18) a labourer at the iron works, James (14) was a driver at the pit.
Thomas was married at Gateshead during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep)1912 to Harriet Rutter of Gateshead, born September 22nd 1892. Their daughter Sarah R. Scott was born later that year and Walter R. Scott in 1913.
After the declaration of war the Army raised new battalions, amongst them the 25th Battalion (2nd Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, November 19th 1914, a Pals Battalion. Thomas Robson Scott was one go the first to enlist, assigned as Private 625. January 29th 1915, his wife gave birth to a son, Thomas Robson Jnr, hopefully he saw his son as until June 1915 the 25th Battalion was at Woolsington, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where with the 24th, 26th and 27th Battalions it formed the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. Having moved to Ripon it was taken over by the War Office before transferring to Salisbury Plain in August for final training. The division departed to France, via Folkestone, January 1916 landing at Boulogne before concentrating near La Crosse, east of St. Omer. Following a period of trench familiarisation the division moved to the Somme participating during the opening battle at Albert, July 1st-13th 1916, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts.
Private 625 Thomas Robson Scott was killed in action July 1st 1916, at the time of his demise, attached to the 24th Battalion N.F. He has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,317 names of British and South African servicemen inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating those who died on the Somme, 1916-March 1918. Private Scott was 26 years of age.
As sole legitimate his widow received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Military Medal, the latter awarded to Private Scott for, “acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire.”
Harriet Scott re-married in 1919 to David Hewitt of Gateshead, born August 2nd 1885 and with whom she had a son David Jnr, born October 30th 1921. In 1939 they were living at 50, Milling Street, Gateshead, County Durham. David Snr was employed as a stone-man at the colliery, David Jnr as a labourer at the steel works.
Harriet Hewitt-Scott nee Rutter died aged 69 years in 1962 at Gateshead, County Durham. Details as regards David Hewitt Snr are unknown, as are details of the Scott children with the exception of Sarah who married Edward Burness in 1931 at Gateshead. Their half-brother David Hewitt Jnr married Harriet Dent at Gateshead in 1947 and died in 1984 aged 63 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
Thomas Robson Scott has not been identified on a local War Memorial.
