James Scott
W.W.2.
1918 to 27.10.1942
Hampshire Regiment Cap badge.
Rank: Private
Death Date: Oct 1942
Number: 5501278
Birth Place: Hampshire
Residence: Hampshire
Regiment at Enlistment: Hampshire Regiment
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Middle East
Regiment at Death: Royal Sussex Regiment
Age on death: 24
Cemetery El Alamein War Cemetery
Burial Country Egypt
Father Henry Scott
Mother Ellen Scott
Region or Memorial Egypt
James was the son of Henry Scott and Ellen Wells and was born in Christchurch Dorset.His service number was 5501278 and he was a private who served in the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment.James married Kathleen Burton who lived in Stanpit in Christchurch and at the time of his Marriage he was living at Thorney Hill in Bransgore.They married on 8th October 1918.James completed his training and then was called up to the 4th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment where he undertook more intensive training which was part of the 133rd Brigade of 44th and was warned for North Africa.James came home during this time and after this leave his battalion on 1st June 1942 sailed in an American ship to Egypt.
They arrived at Cape Town on 1st July 1942.22nd July the battalion arrived at Khatatba to a disappointing welcome which was mentioned in the War Diary records.It is mentioned after two weeks of desert training the battalion moved at rather short notice to a reserve position at Alem El Bukie which was approximately 12 miles behind the front line.
German attacks happened on the 1st-5th August and this was managed to be beaten off, they then moved to a camp which was about 40 miles northwest of Cairo and the brigade were converted to the Lorried infantry role.The 133rd Lorried Infantry Brigade trained for a forthcoming battle of El Alamein, 1st October was visited by General Montgomery.
The battle commenced on 23rd October which was said to of happened at night with a large battle from guns, James and his battalion would have been in occupied positions on the Minteiriy A Ridge however on the 25th October they were pulled back for maintenance.On the 27th they moved back to bare ridge where they were faced with another b attack from the enemy again with 8mm gunfire and machine guns.
The actual battle was a success however many casualties happened and sadly James was one of these.
