January 18, 1918 The following letter has been received by Mr Alex SCOTT, of Natimuk, from Pte. W.T. COZENS, regarding the late Pte. Jack SCOTT:-- I will try and write you a few lines concerning poor Jack's death. I wrote you a letter about 3 months ago but it must have been on the boat that went down. I had a letter from father and he said you were wondering if I knew how Jack met his death. Jack was acting as stretcher bearer to one of our companies in a raid on Fritz's lines. He was about 100 yards away from where I was, but on a different sector, and he and the chap that was with him were killed with the same shell, death being instantaneous. I saw a chap since who was within a few yards of him that night. It must have come as a great blow to you all, as a better mate you couldn't find. Jack and I were best of mates ever since we came into camp, and there wasn't a man who had a bad word for him. He was our companies champion runner. I often wonder whether you got the medal that Jack won at Lark Hill or not. We had a lot of casualties the night that Jack met his death. It was on the morning of the 28th of May. 200 of us raided Fritz's trenches and only 80 answered the roll call next morning. I have not been back to the Battalion since that night as I got hit then too. I had letters from the boys over there and they all miss Jack very much. He was always happy and a general favourite. It is with the deepest regret that I write you these few lines, but I thought it only right that I should do so, as jack and I were mates. I extend my deepest sympathy to you all in your sad bereavement. NOTE:--- Scott, John Thomas Number: 1004 Rank: Private [Pte] Unit: 38th Bn Service: Army Conflict: 1914-1918 Date of Death: 28/05/1917 Place of Death: Cause of Death: Memorial Panel: 130 Cemetery or Memorial Details: 26 Villers Bretonneux-France Next Of Kin: Place Of Enlistment: Natimuk, VIC Native Place: Notes: SCOTT, Pte. John Thomas, 1004. 38th Bn. 28th May, 1917. Age 24. Son of Henry Scott and his wife Clara Durham. Born at Natimuk, Victoria. He went to Vectis State School No 1623 His brother, Alex D. SCOTT, was the informant for particulars required for the Roll of Honour of Australia for the Memorial War Museum. Source: Internet, AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army http://www.awm.gov.au/database/roh.asp Daryl Crabtree Gladstone Qld www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/