Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Australian World War One veteran Sapper James Ardath Scott (born William Boardman), Service No. 19474, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

James Ardath Scott was born in Manchester, England, in 1862 and later migrated to Queensland, where he worked as a clerk. On 24 April 1912 he married Winifred O’Connell at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane, and the couple made their home at New Farm, where they adopted a daughter, Doris.

James enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane, Queensland, on 9 June 1917. Although 55 years of age at the time, he declared his age as 44 years and 6 months in order to qualify for overseas service. He stated his occupation as clerk and nominated his wife, of New Farm, Brisbane, as his next of kin.

On 31 October 1917, Scott embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT A14 Euripides with the July 1917 Reinforcements destined for overseas service. The troopship arrived in England on 26 December 1917. Shortly after arrival he was admitted to military hospital at Tidworth on 6 January 1918 suffering from bronchitis, a condition that kept him from duty until his discharge from hospital on 29 January 1918.

Following further training in England, Scott proceeded overseas to France on 19 April 1918, arriving at Rouelles on 20 April. Five days later, on 25 April 1918, he joined the 4th Field Company Engineers in the field.
During the final months of the war Scott again suffered illness. On 26 October 1918 he was admitted to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station suffering from influenza during the devastating worldwide influenza pandemic that swept through military camps and battlefields in 1918. He recovered sufficiently to return to duty on 5 November 1918 and rejoined his unit in the field shortly before the Armistice ended the war on 11 November 1918.

In March 1919 Scott was selected for repatriation to Australia. He embarked aboard the troopship Warwickshire, departing England on 5 April 1919. The ship arrived in Melbourne on 28 May 1919, bringing him home after almost two years of overseas service. On 2 July 1919 he was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane as medically unfit due to defective vision.

Following the war, Scott resumed civilian life in Brisbane and became active in union and labour circles associated with the Trades Hall movement. He was particularly connected with the Amalgamated Foodstuffs’ Union and was involved in advertising work for the union newspaper, The Union Voice. Newspaper reports at the time described him as well known within union circles in Brisbane.

James Ardath Scott died at Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital, Brisbane on 19 November 1948, aged 86, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget