arras

see : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arras_Cathedral

Sydney Towers Scott, b. 1893, was the son of George Ellison Scott and his wife Mary, and lived at 13 Northumberland Street, Morecambe, Lancashire. He had attended the Friends School in Lancaster (and may well therefore have been a Quaker), and worked for the London City and Midland Bank. His commission into 2nd/5th Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, a Home Service Battalion, suggests that he originally declined the Imperial Service Order, which was not unusual at the time, but might have complied with his religious convictions. His subsequent posting to be Adjutant of 41st Provisional Battalion as a Temporary Captain reflects that he was a notably competent and efficient regimental staff officer. The Provisional Battalion was composed of men who had declined or were unfit for overseas service - however, by dint of the Military Service Act of May 1916 all commissioned officers became liable for active service. Sydney Towers Scott was posted to France on 29th December 1916. On 1st January 1917 the 41st Provisional Battalion became 12th Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, but remained a Home Service Only battalion. In France, as a Temporary officer serving in 1st Battalion, a Regular battalion, Sydney Towers Scott reverted to the rank of Temporary Second Lieutenant commanding a rifle platoon in 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Sydney Towers Scott had been a member of Morecambe Hockey and Tennis clubs and assistant secretary of the Lancaster Photographic Society. See www.lancasterwarmemorials.org.uk/memorials/morecambe-wwi.htm When he was wounded his father travelled to Boulogne to see him, but sadly his son had died before he crossed the Channel. This photograph was taken at the Lambert Weston photographic studio of Sidney Lambert Weston at 20a Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent. By coincidence perhaps, the Weston family, long and successfully established in the photography business, since at least 1867, were also Quakers.//

Surely that should be 1893, Gary? Given the amount of work you're doing on this, the odd typo is only to be expected...

Thanks Chirgy. Now amended. GD.//

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

The CWGC entry records the following; Rank: Lieutenant Date of Death: 09/04/1916 Age: 20 Regiment/Service: Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) "D" Coy. 3rd Bn., attd. 1st Bn. Grave Reference I. A. 22. Cemetery FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY, ARRAS Son of Herbert Dobie, M.D., of Northdene, Chester. Born in the second quarter of 1896 Chester. The eldest child of Herbert and Margaret A Dobie, the 1901 census records him living at 1 St John Street Chester, where his father is a Physician, along with his younger sister, Elizabeth, and two domestic servants. The 1911 census records him as a pupil at Marlborough College. Almost 750 former Marlborough pupils lost their lives in the Great War. A report of his death reads; At Arras in the early morning of 9th April 1916, when it was misty, Captain Gross and Lieutenant Dobbie, with CSM Crossley, went out to inspect the wire in front of the fire trench. While they were doing so, the enemy suddenly opened fire. Lieutenant Dobie fell dead into a crater, the others got back except Catain Gross, who was left out wounded.CSM Crossley, Sergeant A Hammond (No.6348.) and Lance Corporal F Liddamore (No.1036.) crept out under fire and succeeded in dragging Captain Gross back to the trench. He however died a few minutes later. In doing this CSM Crossley was killed and Lance Corporal F Lidamore got a bullet through his clothing. Sergeant A Hammond was untouched. His name is recorded, along with other men of the parish, in St Peter’s Church, Chester. A link to a photograph of his name and the church’s memorial window is here; www.carlscam.com/chester/petermem.htm

National Probate Calendar records that probate was granted to Herbert Dobie M.D. Effects £280 5s 8d. 1 St John Street Chester is now occupied by a branch of Pizza Express but it would still have looked out on to the Wesley Methodist Church maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf...

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/