Arras Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Bertie Stewart Scott was born August 12th 1896 at Heworth, near Gateshead in County Durham, one of 4 known children, 2 sons and 2 daughters born to coal miner George Archibald Scott a native of South Shields, born 1864 and his wife Jane Newman born 1863 at Leeds, West Yorkshire. They were married October 30th 1887 in the district of Gateshead initially setting up home at Clark’s Building, West Lumley, near Chester-le-Street later moving to 2 York Terrace, Heworth.
Bertie Steward Scott enlisted and was assigned as Able Seaman Z/9659 Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and transferred to Hood Battalion, 63rd Royal Naval Division, formed by members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and volunteers who were not needed for service at sea, an idea of Winston Churchill. Members of these Divisions were transferred to the army, 8 were created in all. Training was slow and there was a lack of uniforms and equipment. The Division was sent to Flanders in August 1914 returning to England in the September to replace lost equipment and men. They departed to serve during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 but were evacuated via Egypt back to England bound for the front in France to assist in the final phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916 and remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war.
During 1914/15 Able Seaman Scott, had remained in England still too young to be sent overseas. He did not join the Division until he turned 19 in August 1916, just as the Battles of the Somme were reaching their conclusion. Hood Battalion was involved in the capture of Beaucourt during the Battle of Ancre 13-16 November 1916 and February 17th 1017 the Division attacked the north banks of the Ancre with the 188th Brigade and two battalions of the 189th Brigade to capture 700 yards of the road to Ballescourt phases of the Actions at Miraumont. Spring 1917 preparations were made and troops sent to the Arras sector. The Second Battle of the Scarpe, a phase of this offensive was fought April 23rd-24th. Able Seaman Scott was killed in action on the first day, April 23rd 1917.
Able Seaman Z9659 Bertie Stewart Scott Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was 19 years 8 months old and single. His sacrifice is recorded on the Arras Memorial situated within Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, Bay 1. The memorial commemorates servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who fell in the Arras sector between spring 1916 and August 7th 1918 and have no known grave.
His family received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to them at 38 Duke Street, Pelaw.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Bertie Stewart Scott is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and H92.04
