The award was for conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy: "Pte. Scott, with the assistance of a comrade, brought back from the enemy trenches an unexploded aerial torpedo under heavy fire and machine gun fire. Another brave act was that he tried to recover the body of Major Joicey at great risk to himself, but failed in his endeavour."

He was 21 years old and had been serving for two years.

Before that he had been a miner at Montagu Colliery.

Pte. Scott was also given some treasury notes from the Scotswood Soldiers' and Sailors' own fund. The Sheriff gave him a gold watch and albert as a gift from the inhabitants of Scotswood.