Description
QSA, Queen’s South Africa Medal, 6 bars, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, Pte John Scott, K.R.R.C., Born in Malta, son of a serving soldier.
Officially impressed in large style: “4973 Pte J. Scott, K.R.R.C.”
Entitlement to clasps confirmed on the roll, an unusual varied combination of bars
John Scott was born on 14th November 1870 in Floriana, Malta. Baptised there on 4th December at the Garrison Church.
During this time his father Samuel was a serving Private in the 48th Regiment of Foot, and his mother Mary was on service with him.
The 48th Northamptons had been stationed in the Floriana Barracks in Malta, in 1872 they left for Bombay on HMS Crocodile, a young John Scott likely having grew up on colonial service with his parents.
His father was a Northampton man, 2795 Private Samuel Scott who had seen some serious service over a full 21 year army career, earning a Crimea Medal bar Sebastopol as a young man and later the Army LSGC, with 14 years 5 months spent overseas.
John likely only returned home with his fathers discharge, his father had served 4 years 5 months in Malta, 1 year in Gibraltar and 6 years in the East Indies.
Just like his father, once John turned 18 he enlisted for Army Service, on 8th February 1889, joining the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Northampton.
He saw the following service:
Home, 6th Feb 1889 – 24th November 1890
India, 25th Nov 1890 – 13th Jan 1897
Home, 24th Jan 1897 – 12th Dec 1899
South Africa, 13th Dec 1899 – 4th Feb 1902
Home, 5th Feb 1902, discharged.
During his time in India he took part in the Isazai Expedition of 1892 and was also part of the Chitral Relief Force during 1895.
