Robert Scott, VC, Manchester Regiment

[Ken MacLean]

Hello All,

Whilst trolling the London Times archive I found an article about the first batch of Royal Air Force men to be demobilized on 18 June 1945.

Among them was Aircraftman Robert Scott, age 70, discharged at RAF Long Kesh, N.I.  The article mentioned that he had been awarded the Victoria Cross while with the Manchester Regiment during the South African War.

Wondering why a man of such advanced age would be serving in the RAF, I posted the question on the RAF Commands  forum and was advised that he was born 4/6/1874 , Died 21/2/1961 Downpatrick Northern Ireland.

" On 6/1/1900 He and Private Pitts were the last defenders of Caesar's Camp. They held their post for fifteen hours without any food or water whilst the enemy poured continous fire on them from close by. They were eventually relieved."

Can anyone shed any light on his RAF career? When did he join the RAF, what branches/jobs he was in?

Thanks in anticipation...Ken

[manmack]

pte 458 robert scott was born 4-6-1874,died 21-2-1961,buried in christchurch,church of ireland cemetery,kilkeel,county down,ireland
he has a headstone in this cemetery.
theres a boer war memorial in st.anns square,manchester.the 2 figures depicted are ptes scott and pitts,pte 457 pitts died in blackburn infirmary on 18-2-55,
both mens medals are in the manchester regt museum
mack

[themonsstar]

Robert Scott was born on 4 June 1874 in Haslingden, Lancashire and join the best regiment in Lancashire at the time the, Manchester Regiment .

He worked in a cotton mill from the age of ten until he enlisted in 1894. He was wounded at Ladysmith were he won his VC with Pte James Pitts on 6th Jan 1900, he recovered from his wound and was Orderly room Sergeant at Ashton Barracks during WW1, he left the Army in 1923 and went to live in County Down, Northen Ireland, where he joined the Police force. He served with the RAF in WW2, & was employed with the civil service until his retirement. He died at Downpatrick, County Down, on 22nd February 1961.
Attach is a photo of Pte Pitts & Pte Scott

[harribobs]

“During the attack on Caesars camp a remote corner was held by sixteen men of the Manchester regiment who fought from three in the morning until dusk, when the Devonshire reinforced them. Fourteen of the little band lay dead and of the two survivors one was wounded- they still held their position”

[Ken MacLean]

Many thanks all,

Your replies have helped to clear up the mystery of "an elderly airman"

Ken