Heslop’s Local Advertiser 28/04/1917
Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Scott Jnr was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1894, the youngest of 7 children and the only son of Edward Scott Snr native of Scotland and Sarah Ann Clave, known as Ann, born at Torquay, Devon, both were born in 1860 and married at Gateshead in 1881.
Edward Snr was a labourer at the chemical works, before Edward Jnr was born, he and his wife and 6 daughters were living at Ballast Hill, Felling. When Edward was 4 years old his mother died aged 38 years old in 1898. By 1901 he had moved with his children to Tyne Street and was working as a cooper, daughter Sarah (19) was a house keeper and Christine (17) a general servant. Prior to WW1 Edward was employed at the Holzapfel Paint Works, at their factory in Felling which had opened in 1904.
Edward enlisted at Gateshead, in 1915, assigned as Private 4452 to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, some 1,000 strong, with the purpose of defending the County from foreign invasion, later that year transferred to the 1st/9th Battalion of the Regular Army renumbered as Private 45748.
He departed with his Regiment via Southampton as part of the British Expeditionary Force, June 22nd 1916, landing at Le Havre the following day. July 10th 1916 he was transferred to the 15th Battalion, 64th Brigade, 21st Division in the field, the Division was on the move from Flanders, south, to prepare for the opening of the Battles of the Somme.
July 1st 1916 at about 7.30 a.m. the 15th Battalion attacked the German front line at Fricourt, although they advanced taking 200 German prisoners they lost 450 men killed or wounded including their commanding officer. They did not take part in any other major battles on the Somme until October 1916, they did however engage in day to day trench warfare.
Private 45748 Edward Scott Durham Light Infantry was reported as missing and/or wounded as he had not been seen since September 16th 1916. His family were informed and an investigation was undertaken as to his whereabouts. April 1917 it was concluded that he had died on or since September 16th 1916 and this date was adopted as the official date of his demise. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 who have no known grave. He was 22 years old and single.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 22, Wellington Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
Edward Scott Snr died at Gateshead in 1928/30 aged 68/69 years of age.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 28/04/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Edward Scott, D.L.I., previously reported missing, Sept.16th 1916, now presumed dead, aged 23 years. Only son of Edward and the late Mrs. Ann Scott, of 22 Wellington Street, Felling (late of Felling Shore). Before enlisting Pte. Scott was employed at Messrs. Holzapfel’s Works, Felling Shore.”
Edward Scott is remembered at Felling on F32.07
