Pte Harry Baxter Scott

• Age: 25
• From: Carlisle
• Regiment: 13th Kings
• Died on Thursday 14th June 1917
• Commemorated at: Duisans Bc
  Panel Ref: IV.J.35

This soldier was born Harry Baxter Stubbs in April 1892 in Welton/Sebergham, Cumberland, (about 10 miles south of Carlisle), the son of William and Bessie Stubbs, his parents were not married at the time of his birth. Bessie was born in about 1865 in Branthwaite Dean, Cumberland.  No baptism has been found for him.

 

It is not known when Harry and his mother came to Liverpool, but when he was three or four years old, in 1896, his mother married William Scott in a civil ceremony in Liverpool. William was also born in Cumberland, in Hawkesdale Dalston, near Carlisle. They had two daughters, Dinah Lizzie in 1898 and Annie in 1899.

 

In 1901 Harry B. Stubbs, listed as stepson, is living with his mother, stepfather and two stepsisters at 23 Latimer Street, off Scotland Road, Liverpool.  His stepfather, is a 37year old licensed victualler working from home, his mother is 35 years of age. Harry is 8, Dinah 3, and Annie 1.  Also in the household is his stepfather’s sister Mary E. Scott, 39, their domestic servant.

 

Another daughter Norah was born in 1902 and their only son, Stanley Stubbs Scott, was born early 1905. His mother Bessie died in April 1905, aged 40, possibly from childbirth complications, sadly, Stanley died at six months old. Harry was 12 or 13 years old, and his stepsisters were 7, 5, and 3 years old when their mother died. 

 

In 1911 Harry, listed as Henry B. Stubbs, stepson, is still at 23 Latimer Street.  His stepfather is 47, a licensed victualler, Harry is 18, working as a clerk. His stepsisters, 13, 11, and 9, are at school. Mary E. Scott, aged 49, still lives with them, as well as a niece Adelaide Scott, 21, a housekeeper.  Some time after the Census the family returned to Cumberland.

Harry, using the name Henry Baxter Scott, enlisted in Liverpool on 31st August 1914, as Private 16939, joining the 18th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He gave his age as 22 years and 120 days, and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being 5’ 6 and a half inches tall, weighing 140 lbs, with a brown complexion, grey eyes, and brown hair.  He stated his religion as Church of England, and advised that William Scott, “father” as next of kin, address Dog and Gun Inn, Skelton.  He gave his residence as Skelton.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

His stepfather remarried in the summer of 1915 to Jane Elizabeth Thompson, a widow with a 5-year old son.

 

Harry shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 07th November 1915.  His service record survives and shows - 

 

15/4/1916 attached 201 Field Co. Royal Engineers

30/4/1916 resumed duty with battalion

 

01/7/1916 the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Harry was wounded in action at Montauban and was sent to 96 Field Ambulance.

03/7/1916 to No.1 Stationary Hospital, left axilla (armpit) wound

08/7/1916 evacuated to U.K. on H.M. Hospital Ship Delta

 

He was treated for his wounds at the 4th Scottish General Hospital (Stobhill), in Glasgow (110 miles from Skelton).

 

28/7/1916 transferred to Military Convalescent Hospital, at Alnwick, over 80 miles from Skelton. Alnwick Camp was a large collection of wooden barracks on land adjoining Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.  (The castle was the setting for Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter films.)

 

01/8/1916 posted to 3rd (Garrison) Bn K.L.R. while recuperating

19/12/1916 posted to 1st Bn K.L.R.

20/12/1916 returned to France, I.B.D. Etaples

23/12/1916 posted to 13th Bn K.L.R., served in 3rd Company

 

The 13th Battalion was at Arras in 1917.

14/4/1917 to No.37 Casualty Clearing Station, myalgia

16/4/1917 to hospital

08/5/1917 returned to duty

 

Harry was wounded in action on 11th June 1917. A telegram sent on 13th June informed his stepfather that Harry had been seriously wounded. He suffered shell wounds to his arms, chest, and upper hip. He died of his wounds at No.19 Casualty Clearing Station on 14th June 1917, aged 25. 

 

Harry was laid to rest in Duisans Cemetery, Etrun, about five miles northwest of Arras.  

The area around Duisans was occupied by Commonwealth forces from March 1916, but it was not until February 1917 that the site of this cemetery was selected for the 8th Casualty Clearing Station. The first burials took place in March and from the beginning of April the cemetery grew very quickly, with burials being made from the 8th Casualty Clearing Station (until April 1918), the 19th (until March 1918), and the 41st (until July 1917).

Most of the graves relate to the Battles of Arras in 1917, and the trench warfare that followed. From May to August 1918, the cemetery was used by divisions and smaller fighting units for burials from the front line. In the Autumn of 1918 the 23rd, 1st Canadian and 4th Canadian Clearing Stations remained at Duisans for two months, and the 7th was there from November 1918 to November 1920.

During May 1940 the cemetery was again involved in a Battle for Arras and the entrance shelter bears scars from this battle.

There are now 3,206 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated at Duisans British Cemetery. There are also 88 German war graves. Two British casualties, whose graves were obliterated by shell fire, are commemorated on special memorials. In Plot II, Row A, there are buried, side by side, two brothers, an Officer and a Private, who died of wounds at Duisans on the same day.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. 

CWGC shows him as “Harry Baxter Scott, son of William and Bessie Scott, of the Dog and Gun Inn, Skelton, Penrith, Cumberland.  Native of Liverpool.”

 

William received Harry’s personal effects on 14th January 1918: 1 Disc, 1 Belt, 3 Cap badges.

 

Harry earned his three medals which William signed for in 1920 and 1921.

 

His medal index card shows his name as Herbert B. Scott, probably a transcription error. His British and Victory medal roll has the name Henry B. Scott, 1915 Star in the name Hebert B. Scott. SDGW also have Henry.

 

William received Harry’s Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £13. No pension card has been found, suggesting that Harry lived independently before enlisting.

 

In 1919 his stepfather provided formation on Harry’s living relatives:  his sister Dinah 21, was living at home with her father at the Dog and Gun, Annie 20, was resident at a hotel in Silloth, on the coast, and Norah 18, was living (likely employed) at Musgrave Hall, Skelton. 

 

Further personal effects were sent to his father on 11th November 1919:  1 Pocket mirror, 1 Field Serviice Card, 1 printed letter heading, 1 address, 1 Sheet of Military Hospital regulations, 1 Press cutting, 1 Kitchener’s Message.

 

His sister Annie later had a son she called Harry.  His stepfather, the only father Harry had ever known, appears to have died in 1926 aged 62. His widow Jane and daughter Dinah kept the Dog and Gun Inn into the 1940s.

 

Sadly, Harry has not been identified on any memorial.

We currently have no further information on Harry Baxter Scott, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.