Joseph Scott
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Feb 1897 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 30 Aug 1917, aged 20 |
| Place of Death | Reserve Lazarett, Munster Lager, Germany |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5'5¾" (1.67m) tall; weight 145 lbs (65.8kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | Guard |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Wellington Mills, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Annie Scott |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 15161 |
| Date of Enlistment | 29 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Field Artillery Brigade, 3rd Reinforcement, transferred to A Company 16th Battalion / 4th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | unknown |
| Ship Embarked On | unknown |
| Fate |
Prisoner of War 11 Apr 1917 1st Bullecourt Died of Wounds 30 Aug 1917 Munster Lager. |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry for 1913 - guard at Hoffman's Mill.
War Service
Initially identified for Artillery reinforcements in WA, he was sent to Maribyrnong in Melbourne to undertake specialist training there, and was re-allocated to the 10th FAB, 3rd reinforcement draft. However, the ship carrying the draft to England stopped of in Fremantle, and so did Joseph who failed to re-embark. Josephs records for this period are incomplete, but it appears that he went back to Melbourne for a time as the first entry connected with England is on 25 Oct 1916.
On arrival in England Joseph appears to have spent some time at the artillery training centre at Fort Wellington but was then transferred to the 4th Training Battalion on 23 Oct 1916. During his time in England Joseph was charged with being AWOL from 9:30 until noon on 1 Oct 1916 for which he was awarded 3 days Confined to Barracks, and the forfeiture of a days pay. He was also transferred to the 16th Battalion reinforcements on 25 Oct 1916 and his Regimental Number changed from 6110 to 15161.
On 28 Nov 1916 he proceeded overseas to France from Folkestone on SS Princess Henriette, and was at the 4th Division's Base Depot in Étaples until sent forward to join the 16th Battalion on 16 Dec 1916, just as they moved from Ribemont to Cardonette where they spent the remainder of the month reorganising and undertaking specialist training.
On 20 Mar 1917 Joseph was seen by the 13th Australian Field Ambulance and treated for scabies, rejoining the battalion on 2 Apr 1917.
Joseph participated in the attack on the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt on 11 Apr 1917, and at the end of the day he was posted as missing. One of more than a thousand men who were taken prisoner when the men who had captured the German front line trenches were left without tank or artillery support until they ran out of ammunition. Most were unable to retreat across the battlefield which was swept by enemy fire.
Joseph's capture was slightly different in that he had been severely wounded with a bullet wound to the throat area. With Australian medical staff unable to retrieve him, he was captured near Reincourt.
It would appear that he was well enough to send a post card advising of his capture, the battalion was advised of his status on 5 Jun 1917. However, on 21 Nov 1917 the battalion was advised that he had died from his wounds while a prisoner. on 30 Aug 1917.
Red Cross file: [1][2]. "Died 30.8.17 of GSW to head (throat) - Lazarette Munster"
Notes
- ↑ https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1056618/document/5644302.PDF accessed 29 Apr 2018
- ↑ "Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files - Joseph Svott". Australian War Memorial. 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.