Herbert was born in Mattishall, Norfolk on 23 March 1893. His parents were John Jesse and Mary Ann (nee Dack) Scott. His father was a groom, when he was born and later a coachman. He was baptised in Mattishall church on 16 April 1893
His brother Christmas William Scott was born on 25 December 1896. His mother Mary Ann died the same month, presumably as a result of childbirth. Her son Christmas William was baptised privately probably as he was not expected to survive.
John Scott married Georgina Meek in Mattishall in the summer of 1896. It is assumed that he remarried so soon as he needed help with his sons, one of whom as only a few months old. Unfortunately for the family Georgina also died a year later and was buried on 24 December 1897 in Saxlingham Nethergate Churchyard.
On 17 June 1899 John married Caroline Barker, a widow, in St. Mary’s Church Saxlingham Nethergate, She had five children and her husband had been a publican in Saxlingham Nethergate. Her husband had died in December 1897 a few days before Georgina Scott.
In 1901 the family lived on Pitts Hill, Saxlingham. John was working as a domestic coachman. Only one of Caroline’s children, Caroline born in 1890, was living with them as well as Herbert and William. In 1911 Hebert and William were working as garden labourers and Caroline was a servant at the Old Hall Saxlingham Nethergate.
He enlisted in the Army Service Corps, Service number T4/038515 on the 1st October 1914. He was a driver in the Army. Prior to enlisting he was working as a chauffeur and living at The Lodge, Leicester Road, New Barnet. When he joined he was 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 32 inch chest.
On 25 January 1915 he was admitted to hospital with a debility. He had been in the field force for 2 months. He was transferred the next day to the Hospital Ship, ‘Asturias’. His records have not survived and it is not known what the debility was or which hospital he was sent to.
He was discharged from the army on 31 January 1916 as being no longer fit for service on medical grounds.
In 1919 he married Jennie May Thurston, born 7 July 1897, in Great Yarmouth. Before her marriage she had worked as a shop assistant in Finsbury.
They had one son, Dennis J Scott, born 9 September 1923.
They moved to live in Gorleston and in 1929 were living a 43 Trafalgar Road East. They lived at this address for the rest of their lives.
In 1939 Herbert was working as a motor car fitter.
He died on 9 July 1974 in Gorleston.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920)
British Army Service Records
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records. Mattishall and Saxlingham Nethergate.
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan, burial records for Saxlingham Nethergate.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
Military Hospitals, Admissions and Discharge Registers WW1 www.forces-war-records.co.uk
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk