More about Thomas Martin Scott

Thomas M Scott was the son of Mr William Scott (Builder) and Mrs Rose M Scott of Hartington Cottage, Broughty Ferry. He was an Apprentice Engineer at the J Low Foundry, Monifieth when, in March 1915, he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training in June. On completion he was drafted to the Hood Battalion, then serving in Gallipoli and arrived on the Peninsula in August. He remained in Gallipoli until the evacuation in January 1916 and undertook garrison duties in the Aegean. In April he was hospitalised on the island of Tenedos with connective tissue disease and septic sores on his chin. In May he sailed to Marseille when the Hood Battalion was transferred to the Western Front in France. Once in France he was trained as a member of a Lewis Gun team but became ill again in September suffering from scabies. The RND began to experience the war on the Western Front and was being prepared to join in the Somme battle. One of the first day’s objectives of the British attack on 1 July 1916 was the capture of the village of Beaucourt just to the west of the River Ancre. It was finally taken on 14 November by the men of the RND. This was the first major operation by the RND in France and established a reputation for being a “Can Do” Division. However, the casualty list was very long and over 30 local men were killed and countless more wounded. This was the worst ever day for Dundee’s Naval forces in the First World War and Thomas Scott was killed in action. His body was found and he was buried in the Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel and his parents were notified of his resting place there in May 1917. Thomas is believed to have been a former pupil of Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry and if so is remembered on the schools war memorial.

Tom Martin Scott   CZ/3568   Hood Bn   R.N.D.

Official intimation has been received by Mr William Scott, builder, Broughty Ferry, that his son, A.B. Tom Scott, R.N.D., has been killed in action.  A.B. Scott was before enlisting employed as an apprentice engineer with Messrs James Low & Co., Monifieth Foundry.

Dundee People’s Journal 9th December 1916

Last week the relatives of Seaman Tom Scott, R.N.D., who reside at Hartington Place, Broughty Ferry, received official information that he has been killed in action.  Deceased though not yet 19 years of age came through the Dardanelles campaign.  He was the son of Mr Wm. Scott, builder, and nephew of ex-Bailie James Scott, and was held in high esteem.

Broughty Ferry Guide 8th December 1916