War service: Egypt, Western Front

Joined 54th Bn, Ferry Post, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported missing, 20 July 1916.

Note on Form B103: 'Identification Disc received from Germany. No particulars were afforded except that the soldier is dead. to be reported KILLED IN ACTION FRANCE 19/20 July 16.'

Note on file: 'austr. Sold. Scott, J. Nr. 4873. 54. Batt. A.I.F. am 19.7.16. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.'

Red Cross File No 2430807 has statement from 4546 Pte J.P. MITCHELL, A Company, 54th Bn (patient, 3rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford, England), 9 November 1916: 'I saw Scott killed by shrapnel on July 19th just before the charge at Fleurbaix, Armentieres district. I was next to him at the time; he was in my company and platoon. It was in the afternoon, we had to retire later.'

'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16.'

Second statement, Captain HOLLIDAY, Chaplain, Church of England, 5th Division, undated: 'On 22nd July 1916 I was present and officiated at the burial of this man [incorrectly identified as No 4872 J SCOTT], who was killed on July 19th in the big attack at Fromelles, in which ground was not held. He was buried in [the] Military Cemetery at Sailly Sur-La-Lye. A cross with his name and number was placed at the head of his grave. Many of his comrades attended his funeral. This information is obtained from my Book of Burials ('produced', wrote interviewer).'