SCOTT, Robert
| Service Number: | 767 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo Victoria, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Bendigo, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Cabinet maker |
| Died: | 29 July 1960, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 767, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 767, 7th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
Robert Scott, known as ‘Bob’, was born in Bendigo, the son of James & Agnes Scott, of 40 Frederick Street, Bendigo. He was a Cabinetmaker, 23 years & 9 months old, and had previous military service in Senior Cadets. He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14. The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp. He was allotted Service no. 767 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.
A 7th Battalion Band was formed at Broadmeadows, using instruments donated in Melbourne and music donated from Eaglehawk. ‘Bob’ Scott, who had been a member of both the Bendigo Citizens’ Band, and Flight’s Band, became Bandmaster. The band had 21 members and played regularly at Broadmeadows, and later on board ship, and while the battalion was in camp in Egypt.
Prior to embarkation ‘Bob’ was presented with a complete smoking outfit by the members of Flight’s Band.
The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18th October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’. Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids. (6/12/14)
In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized. In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company. This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.
The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.
In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles. The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided. The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th. The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia” (8-11 May). This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high. On May 14th Robert Scott was promoted to Corporal.
On May 16th the battalion boarded the troopship ‘Ionian’ for return to Anzac. In an article published in ‘Despatches’, the 7th Battalion Journal, Bob Scott recalled this voyage. “Who will forget the order of the Skipper: ‘No man leaves my ship without a loaf of bread’, and right enough, the destroyer had to wait till every man got his small loaf, the last bread he was to see for weeks.” [‘Looking Back. Krithia’ Despatches, 1957]
In July the 7th Battalion were in the trenches at Steele’s Post. The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground. Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe. Most days were spent repairing the trenches and continually sniping at the Enemy’s loopholes. They repaired the trenches during the night. They were also fired upon by the Enemy Howitzer. The strain of the constant bombardment, and explosions which buried men, was beginning to show. On 23/7/15 ‘Bob’ Scott reverted to the ranks at his own request.
On August 8th the 7th Battalion moved into position at Lone Pine, preparing to participate in a Diversionary attack on the Turkish trenches on the 400 Plateau. Heavy fighting ensued with multiple casualties.
On September 13 the battalion embarked for Lemnos & marched to Sarpi Camp. The health of the men was of great concern and it was hoped to improve this by an extended period of rest. The men were fed well, but the improvement in the men’s health was to be very slow indeed. The battalion returned to Anzac on November 21st.
Preparations were made for the evacuation of Anzac. The 7th Battalion withdrew during the night of 19th December, 1915. The battalion sailed to Lemnos, then returned to Egypt.
Robert Scott went on to serve on the Western Front. He received further promotion, L/Cpl (26/5/18); Corporal (15/6/18); L/Sgt (8/7/18); & Sgt (9/7/18). He RTA on 8/10/18. Special 1914 Leave.
“The First Lot. 7th Battalion. The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone
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