In Bouchoir New British Cemetery, Somme, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of Private John Henderson Scott serving with the Devonshire Regiment who died 11/08/1918.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Henderson Scott, known as John, was born at Heworth, Gateshead, historically in County Durham, in 1896, one of 11 children of whom only 9 survived, 4 sons and 5 daughters. His father Christopher Scott, native of Felling, born in 1863, married Mary Eleanor Donninson born 1864 in the village of Sunniside, both near Gateshead, in the district of Gateshead in 1882. Christopher was employed as a blacksmith’s striker and moved from Gateshead to Heworth Lane, Heworth after his marriage. Just prior to the birth of their youngest son Christopher Jnr in 1900 they had moved to 6, Ford Terrace, Wallsend then back to 31, Salisbury Street, Pelaw on Tyne by 1911. By now their 3 elder daughters had left home Jane (19) worked from home as a dressmaker, Nicholas (17) and John (14) were employed as general labourers whilst Thomas (13), Christopher Jnr (11) and Elsie (5) were scholars.
John Henderson Scott enlisted at Felling and was assigned as Private 19780 to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later transferred as Private 20796 to the 1st (Regular Army) Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment joining them on the Western Front, attached to the 14th Brigade, 32nd Division, after January 1916. The 1st Battalion participated during the opening Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916 at Albert but did not take part in any other major battles during 1916 until the Battle of the Ancre, November 13th-16th. They remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war.
During the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) of 1918, whilst on leave to England, John married in the district of Gateshead a local girl, Elizabeth Robinson born 1899. Elizabeth gave birth to a son, John Christopher Scott, September 9th 1918.
Having returned to his battalion, once again on the Somme, they participated during the Battle of Amiens which began August 8th ending August 12th.
Private Scott at the conclusion of the battle was reported as missing, presumed dead. After Armistice during the clearing of the battlefields a body was found in an unmarked grave, map reference 66. R. 4. a. 5. 6. The body was exhumed and formal identification made possible by particulars on the body to be those of Private Henderson. The remains of Private 20796 John Henderson Scott Dorsetshire Regiment were brought into Bouchoir New British Cemetery, Somme, France along with three other identified servicemen from his battalion found at the same spot and where he was interred with military honours, grave III. A. 18. The CWGC have adopted August 11th 1918 as the presumed date of his demise, at which time, he was 22 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him and a pension for herself and their son who unfortunately never knew his father, nor he, him. Private Scott was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Henderson Scott is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
