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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Rifleman Frank Herbert Scott

Description

TitleRifleman Frank Herbert ScottSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionFrank was born at Lyttelton on 11 September 1879, son of George and Sarah Ann Scott, Leeston. He enlisted at Patea where he had been living for several years and was working for the Patea Shipping Company as a labourer. He was 5ft 8½in tall with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His medical exam did find a hernia, but he was still fit for the Front.

Frank enlisted at Featherston on 21 August 1916 and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 11th Reinforcements, 4th Battalion, H Company. He left with them from Wellington on 7 December 1916 and arrived in Devonport and Sling Camp on 18 February. He marched out to join the 4th Battalion, 3rd Rifle Brigade at Codford and was taken on strength on 30 March. He left for France and Etaples on 27 May. However he did not take well to military discipline for on 24 June 1917 he was awarded 7 days Field Punishment No 2 for failing to salute an officer in the field. He was attached to the Divisional Wing Reinforcement Camp on 8th February 1918 and then sent on to the School of Instruction on 10th February 18th, returning on 17 February. He then transferred to 4 Battalion/3rd Rifle Brigade and was posted to A Company on 24th February. On 20 April he was reported missing on 29th March but was later then reported killed in action, aged 39. The Regimental history records that “Though the efforts of the 4th Battalion on the evening of the 28th had resulted in a considerable reduction in the extent of the enemy salient, full success had not been attained, and after daylight next morning an attempt was made to complete the work.” The enemy was holding 1,200 yards of the Hebuterne Road, near Colincamps. A burial report on 5 November 1918 shows that he was buried at co-ordinates K26 D15 57D NE. After the war he was re-buried in the Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme. In New Zealand Frank is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial.

Colincamps and "Euston" was a road junction a little east of the village, were within the Allied lines before the Somme offensive of July 1916. The cemetery was started as a front line burial ground during and after the unsuccessful attack on Serre on 1 July, but after the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917 it was scarcely used. It was briefly in German hands towards the end of March 1918, when it marked the limit of the German advance, but the line was held and pushed forward by the New Zealand Division allowing the cemetery to be used again for burials in April and May 1918. The cemetery is particularly associated with three dates and engagements; the attack on Serre on 1 July 1916; the capture of Beaumont-Hamel on 13 November 1916; and the German attack on the 3rd New Zealand (rifle) brigade trenches before Colincamps on 5 April 1918.First NameFrank HerbertLast NameScottFamilySingleSon of George and Sarah Ann Scott, LeestonDate of Birth11 September 1879Place of BirthLytteltonDate of Death29 March 1918Place of DeathSomme, France Cause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death39

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryEuston Road CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialEnlistment Details21st August 1916 at Featherston Service Number30413 Reinforcement11th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL.M. Seaton

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Rifleman Frank Herbert Scott