Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Drover John Russell Scott, 25, completed an ‘Application to Join the AIF’ form at Sydney Town Hall on 8 January 1916. On this form he gave his address as Auburn Road, Auburn. When he enlisted at Liverpool two days later he nominated his mother, Jane Scott of Wilberforce, NSW, as his next-of-kin.
5432 Private Scott had a basic record of service in the AIF. He embarked on the Ceramic in April 1916 and, sailing via Port Said and Marseilles, Scott arrived at the Australian base at Étaples on the coast of France in October 1916. There he was charged with an infringement for which he had to do ‘eight days field punishment No 1’.
Scott was taken on strength of the 55th Battalion on 1 December 1916 and was killed in action eight days later. He was one of eight Auburn Memorial men lost in the last days of the First Battle of the Somme (October–December 1916).
For his grave in the Foncquevillers Military cemetery his mother chose the inscription: SLEEP DEAR AND TAKE THY REST. THEY MISS YOU MOST WHO LOVED YOU BEST.
His widowed mother must have been dependant on her son John, as she was granted a war pension of ￡2 p.f.
John Scott is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Wilberforce District Memorial and Gates
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
