Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Percival George Scott, known as Percy, was born on 3 April 1896 at Woodbury, South Canterbury, the eldest son of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth (née Wood) Scott, of Cricklewood, South Canterbury. Percival started at Cricklewood School on his fifth birthday and moved to Pleasant Point District High School in 1909. He did well at school, gaining his Standard VI Proficiency Certificate in 1908 while at Cricklewood. In January 1910, he passed the Junior National Scholarship examination.

Percy was a farm hand for James Smith at Hadlow Road, Tycho, when he enlisted on 17 December 1914 at Trentham. Only 18 years 8 months old, single and of Church of England affiliation, he named his father as next-of-kin – Alfred Scott, Cricklewood, near Timaru. He was already serving with the Territorials, 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. He stood at 5 feet 7 inches, weighed 132 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32-34½ inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes grey and his hair brown. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal, though his teeth were only fair. Free from diseases and defects, he was in good bodily and mental health.

Sergeant P. G. Scott embarked with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles of the 4th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Suez, Egypt, on 17 April 1915. After being promoted to Sergeant with pay on 15 February 1915, he reverted to Corporal on 24 June at Zeitoun. He was appointed Acting Sergeant (with pay) on 29 October 1915 at Mudros. On 23 December 1915 he was admitted to the 5th General Hospital at Alexandria with frost-bite. In March 1916, Scott was admitted to the NZ General Hospital at P De K, suffering the effects of frostbite. His progress was satisfactory. He was admitted to the New Zealand Hospital at Walton on Thames at the beginning of June 1916. Percival George Scott was one of those well enough to leave the New Zealand Military Hospital at Walton during the week of 28 July 1916. He had been admitted to Mount Felix only recently. Corporal Scott was discharged to Hornchurch for furlough. He proceeded overseas to Moascar from Sling on 8 December 1916. Appointed temporary Lieutenant-Sergeant (unpaid) on 19 April 1917, he was appointed Temporary Lieutenant-Sergeant (paid) on 28 June, and appointed Lieutenant-Sergeant on 18 July. As of July 1917, he was in Egypt. Appointed Temporary Sergeant on 25 September 1917 he was confirmed as Sergeant on 14 December.

On 4 March 1918 he was admitted to hospital sick; on 15 March he was admitted to the General Hospital; on 16 March 1918 he was admitted to the Aotea Convalescent Home at Heliopolis, with an injured finger. He was posted to Duty on 10 April and was transferred to the NZ Mounted Rifle Brigade. In late July 1918, he embarked for the UK to attend a Cadet Course. Sergeant P. G. Scott, 7/929, Canterbury M.R., was one of the September 1918 nominations for training in Officer Cadet Schools for infantry commissions in the N.Z.E.F. He reported to the Command Depot at Codford and was posted to No. 21 O.C.B., Haigh Hutments, Fleet, Hants. While in England, he was admitted to hospital at Aldershot (21 November 1918). He reported from the OCB and, as of 3 February 1919, was to be 2nd Lieutenant (supernumerary to Establishment). His report read ‘With more training will do satisfactorily’; ‘Smart appearance, but wants a little more Training in Discipline’. ‘Should prove satisfactory with more training. Ordered to report to New Zealand H.Q.’, which he duly did.

The “Ayrshire” with Returning Draft No. 282 on board left Liverpool on 5 August 1919 and arrived at Lyttelton on 19 September 1919. One of the 671 on board was 2nd-Lieut. P.G. Scott, 7/929, of Cricklewood. Percival Scott returned to Cricklewood and was discharged on 18 October 1919, having served for four years and 306 days, all but 150 days overseas. For his service in the Balkans and Egypt he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. But Percy signed on to continue to serve with the Territorial Force (8th C.M.R.) after his return. As of 10 December 1921, he was posted to the Retired List and was required to report in writing his address each year. He could retain his rank and wear uniform (service dress) on special occasions. Percy G. Scott, 2/Lieut reported on 30 June 1929 that his address was – Rural Delivery, Orari Bridge, Geraldine.

Percy settled into farming at Orari Bridge. He married Annie Margaret Metcalf, of Rangitata, on 1 July 1927. He was very much into community activities – playing cards (for Raukapuka Gentlemen’s team) in November 1932; a member of the Victoria Lodge I.O.O.F, where he was presented with a framed Past Grand’s certificate in May 1934.; joining the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association in 1933; playing in the Geraldine District Cribbage Association tournament in 1934. Margaret and Mary were placed first and second respectively in the children’s decorated vehicle competition held as part of the Rangitata School’s golden jubilee in August 1936, this being their mother’s old school. Their mother finished second in her age-women’s group race.

In February 1937, Percival George Scott was one who testified to leaving wool in the yard of the man who was charged with receiving stolen wool. He had been dealing with this man for 16 years. In May 1936, when he returned the next day for his money, there was no pile of wool in the yard. In January 1938, he spoke in support of a man who was being shamed in the case of the proposed re-zoning of the cream collections, and Percy, in turn, was applauded by several suppliers in the audience. In December 1938, Percy and Annie, along with his sister, Elsie Elizabeth Smith, gave evidence in support of Elsie’s husband, James Smith in a claim for damages resulting from a collision at Winchester on 17 July 1937. James succeeded in his clame. Percy was elected to the Orari Bridge School Committee in April 1940 and elected as secretary in 1942.

In September 1940, his brother Leonard came from Wellington and spent a weekend with Percy and Annie at their Orari Bridge home. Percival George Scott died on 29 November 1963 at his Ashburton residence, aged 67 years. He was survived by his wife and two married daughters (Margaret and Mary). He was buried at the Ashburton Cemetery, his wife with him in 1987. In his Will signed in 1958, he made specific and generous provision for his wife and for each of his daughters. He appointed Pyne Gould Guinness Limited of Christchurch not only as trustees of his Will, but also as agents for all dealings with disposal of his property. They could also “take and act upon the opinion of any practising counsel of not less than ten years professional standing in New Zealand upon any matter concerning the interpretation of this my will or . . . .”

His brother, Leonard Charles Scott, also served in World War One, as did two cousins - Albert Scott (US forces) and Aubrey William Scott, all of whom belonged to South Canterbury. Yet another was called up – Oswald Murdoch Scott, of Woodbury, while Robert Leonard Scott was drawn in the ballot. As well, an uncle, Leonard Percy Scott, who was a married man with two children, was listed on the Reserve Rolls.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [08 August 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives ref. AABK 18805 W5553 0102687) [20 October 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives ref. AABK 18805 W5958 0361336) [21 October 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [11 August 2014]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [09 August 2014; 19 August 2022]; Temuka Leader, 24 December 1908, Timaru Herald, 12 January 1910, 4 July 1927, 32 November 1932, 10 March 1933, 1 May 1933, 19 April 1934, 3 May 1934, 29 August 1936, 3 February 1937,13 January 1938, 24 April 1940, 6 September 1940, 22 April 1942, 31 December 1945, Press, 29 July 1916, 29 August 1919, 4 July 1927, 30 November 1963, Lyttelton Times, 13 September 1916, Otago Daily Times, 26 September 1916, 2 December 1938, Evening Post, 1 January 1919, 29 August 1919, NZ Times, 29 August 1919, Ashburton Guardian, 3 February 1937, Otago Daily Times, 2 December 1938 (Papers Past) [11 August 2014; 19 & 22 August 2022]; Ashburton Cemetery headstone image & burial record (Ashburton District Council) [09 August 2014]; Timaru Herald, 30 November 1963 (Timaru District Library) [06 January 2016]; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search [29 August 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [19 August 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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