Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Scott was born 1897 registered at Carlisle, Cumberland the son of widow Elizabeth Scott.
When war broke out with Germany in 1914 he was living at Gateshead, he enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne assigned to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 39926. The 3rd Battalion D.L.I. was formed from the remainder of the mobilised reserve soldiers after the formation of the 2nd Battalion who departed for the Western Front. They went from Newcastle to South Shields and Jarrow as part of the Tyne Garrison where they also trained recruits like Private Scott for active service.
Private 39926 D.L.I. was transferred as Private 25951 to the East Surrey Regiment, on of Kitchener’s New Army, assigned to the 9th Battalion and later to the 1st Battalion of the Regular Army attached to the 5th Division. He did not depart for the Western Front until 1916 where the East Surrey Regiment was deployed between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July 1916 as reinforcement to the Somme where the saw action at High Wood, the Battle of Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. In October they were sent to Festubertand and remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On September 7th 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres (Belgium). The 5th Division was briefly transferred to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918 but recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918, in action during the Battles of the Lys, April 7th-29th 1918.
Private 25951 James Scott East Surrey Regiment died of wounds sustained on active service May 11th 1918 and was buried by the 5th Division at Morbecque British Cemetery, Nord, France, which was begun by them in April 1918 and closed in June 1918.
His mother Elizabeth as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 28, Alexandra Terrace, Derwentwater Road, Bensham, Gateshead, County Durham.
Private Scott was 22 years old and single.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Scott is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004