TOPIC:

Hello
I am researching the above for an old chap in the village, recently I gave a talk on medal collecting and gave some case studies as examples, afterward this lovely chap came up and tipped out a QSA &KSA from an old plastic bag, they had been in his shed for 60 yrs! He wants to know about a great Grandfather
Roger Scott Born Dec 1877 attested Maidenhead 23/12/1895, to South Africa 13/02/1898> 30/10/1902
Promoted Cpl and MID LG 29/07/1902 P4846

Is there anyway I can discover the MID details or put anymore meat on the bones!

Thanks in anticipation

Adrian

Lord Kitchener, in his final despatch of 4 officers and 10 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned. Corporal R Scott is one of the 10. Unfortunately as with many MID's the reason for the mention was not recorded in the Gazette.

His service record does record he was awarded a certificate for his time with the Mounted Infantry. It may be possible he was engaged in action from around September 1901 to 1902. The battalion was back in Cape Colony operating under General French against Scheepers, and down to the close of the war they held a stretch of the railway between Beaufort West and De Aar, approximately 183 miles to patrol the line.

His service record is on line, alas his MID is only mentioned as being awarded with date. No specific action. However, he was a seasoned soldier who served over 20 years with over 4 of those in South Africa.
He also served in Egypt twice, Cyprus, India and Ceylon.



Dave.......

MID entry



Service timeline

This additional document dated 1916.
Records Roger as being a Sergeant.
Unfortunately he is now suffering from his time in Ceylon (6 years) with what looks like Atrophy of the Liver. Which was attributed to the Indian climate.



PS...Sergeant Roger Scott 4552 Royal Berkshire Regiment was also entitled to a WW1 Victory and British War Medal


Dave.......

Following a brief search on FindMyPast for articles in newspapers about Roger Scott, I found the following article which I reproduce below:

From "The Reading Observer," dated Saturday, September 15th, 1917, page 5:

"DEATH OF SERGT. SCOTT"

"A POPULAR SOLDIER"

"The death occurred this week, at his home at Spencer's Wood, of Sergeant Roger Scott, known as "Dink," of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, who, in all, had 22 years in the service. Bright's Disease was the cause of his death. A friend of Scott's speaking of deceased to the writer, remarked, "Scott was a right down good fellow; he was one of the most popular men in the regiment." Sergeant major Trinder also paid tribute to Scott in the following words: "We all liked him, he was a good soldier." And therein lies alot. Scott was living at Henley when he joined up. As soon as he had passed through his period of elementary training he went to India, where he quickly gained the confidence of his comrades and the Officers of the regiment and his promotion was fairly speedy. Later he was attached to a battalion of Mounted Infantry, and ranking as Sergeant went right through the Boer War, in which he performed admirable service. He went with the 2nd Battalion Berkshire Regiment to Egypt, and when at Khartoum was placed in charge of the regimental boats on the Nile, in respect to which a good story is told of the deceased, who was never weary of performing practical jokes and who himself was never "riled" if made the subject of one. It was when in charge of the boats that the married sergeants challenged the single sergeant's to an 8 oared rowing match, and the former were made red hot favourites. On the all important day all the Officers, non-coms , and men turned out to witness the great event and money was literally piled on the married crew. At the word "go" however, the single men shot ahead at once, with the married representatives labouriously lagging away in the rear. On the faces of the layers of the long odds speedily came a look of consternation and surprise, and the more they looked the more they wondered at each stroke the single men went farther ahead, and in the end they won by the "length of a street." For some little time no-one could understand it. Presently, however, someone suggested an examination of the boats, when lo and behold, it was discovered that at the bottom of the boat used by the married men, were attached bricks and tin cans , with the result that their craft could not be propelled through the water at any speed. All wagers were hereupon declared off, and Scott's name was freely used as being the man who had then "handicapped" the boat. It was a long time, however, after the event ere he would admit to the joke.
Scott, subsequently having seen foreign service elsewhere, later returned to India, now being stationed at Changlagali, where he was in charge of the drills in musketry, himself being an especially good shot. He was next off to the Ceylon Volunteers, and whilst with them, several deaths were reported in and around the camp, and from the mauling received by those killed it was evident that the work was the doing of some wild beast. Scott who was absolutely fearless, having discovered a track went out single handed in pursuit, and returned triumphant, having himself bagged what Quarter Master Bostock describes as being "one of the largest tigers on the island." Eventually Scott contracted malarial fever and was invalided home. He spent some time in Netley Hospital, before being sent to the Reading Barracks, later being discharged from the Army as unfit for further service. He was given employment by the Thames Conservators at Boulter's and Temple locks, serving in the position of assistant lock keeper at the first named important locks."

Unfortunately, no description of the deed(s) for which his Boer War MID was awarded.
But, we certainly get an insight into the character of Roger Scott.
A useful bloke to have around!

Cheers Steve