Sergeant John Scrimgeour, 4th Royal Fusiliers

[DoubleD]

Hello everyone, another of the names on the Perth Academy War Memorial (thanks to a lot of help, from a lot of people on this forum and elsewhere, I am down to the last half dozen). The information I have already is:

G/4906, Sergeant John Scrimgeour, 4th Royal Fusiliers. Previously reported wounded and missing, now presumed to be killed, 27th March 1916. Son of David and Mary Scrimgeour of 33, Robertson's Buildings, Barrack Street, Perth. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ref. Panel 6 and 8.

Any information at all would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Dave

[helpjpl]

John Scrimgeour

Medal Index Card:

Corps: 4 R Fus

Rank: L/Cpl

Reg No: 4906 GS/4906

France: 09/02/1915

Died: 22/07/1915

Medal & Award Roll:

Reg: 4/R Fus, A/Sgt 09/02/15-14/06/15 and 07/12/15-27/03/16

Rank: Cpl

Reg No: GS/4906

Remarks: D/P 27/03/16

UK Soldiers Died:

Birth Place: Perth

Death Date: 27/03/1916

Enlistment Place: St Martin's, London

Regiment: London

Battalion: 4th Battalion

Reg No: G/4906

CWGC:

Rank: Corporal

Service No: G/4906

Date of Death: 27/03/1916

Age: 21

Regt: Royal Fusiliers 'Y' Coy 4th Bn

1901 Census:

Age 6 and living at 19 Market St, Perth, with father David (40), a Dyer, born Auchterarder; mother Mary (39), born Auchterarder; Wm (7), born Perth; Andrew (4), born Perth.

JP

[DoubleD]

helpjpl. Many thanks for that. That is helpful in telling a little bit about the person behind the name. As well as the school memorial and Roll of Honour, I will be going on a school French Trip shortly with 40 pupils. We will be calling at Ypres on the way to the ferry at Zeebrugge and will now have some information when we pay our respects at the Menin Gate. John Scrimgeour is one of five former pupils who are commemorated on the Menin Gate.

Thanks again for your help,

Dave

[sotonmate]

Dave

There is a page in the Long Long Trail for the period around John's death which helps set the scene :

http://www.1914-1918.net/bat14.htm#steloi

[DoubleD]

sotonmate. Thank you very much for that. As you say it will set the scene for the kids to try and get a feeling for life in the Great War.

Cheers,

Dave

[sotonmate]

Meant to mention that 4 RF were of 9 Infantry Brigade of 3 Division !

[DoubleD]

Thank you again sotonmate. I have done my best to condense the information you have sent me into a brief account of the action during which John Scrimgeour lost his life. Should hopefully give the kids some idea of what was happening.

Cheers,

Dave

[andrew pugh]

Hi Dave

Here's the entry for the 27/03/1916 from the 4th Battalion war diary.

27th March 1916 St ELOI Trenches.

4.15 am Four mines exploded and after an interval of 30 seconds the battalion went over the parapets to the assault. W and X companies on the left and Y and Z companies on the right. An intense rifle, machine gun and artillery fire opened on the battalion at once and we lost heavily before they had advanced very far. We took the German first line trench and the Northumberland Fusiliers on our right took 2 lines of trenches, both battalions consolidated the captured trenches.

Heavy artillery bombardment of the trenches was kept up all day,our own artillery replied very effectively and did much damage to the enemy trenches.From 8.30 pm to 12 midnight intense artillery fire was kept up by the Germans,all our trenches and communication trenches being badly knocked about. 2nd Battalion Royal Scots arrived about 9 pm to relieve the battalion but were unable to do so owing to shell fire. About midnight relief in small parties commenced and finally finished about 6 am on the 28th inst.

28th March

Battalion formed up at DICKEBUSCH where tea was ready for them and proceeded by bus to RENINGHELST. The roll call was called an resulted as follows: 5 Officers Killed, 1 Missing, 4 Wounded and 255 Other Ranks. Officers Killed are Captain Moxon, 2nd Lt's Howard, Boddy and Perrier, 2nd Lt Smith missing, Lt Marsden, Captain Foster, Lt Hardman and Jiles wounded. Battalion left very short of Officers and N.S.O's.

29th RENINGHELST.

Battalion refitting. Our Chaplain who did most gallant work throughout the operations (Reverend N Mellish) took up a volunteer party of 60 men and brought in all our wounded during the night.

Hope this is of interest to you

Regards Andy

[DoubleD]

Hi Andy,

Sorry I missed the post until now. Many thanks, the information you have provided is perfect. Certainly easy to read for a non-military expert like me!

Many thanks for your help,

Dave