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The bells of this Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas were rung today as part of “Ringing to Remember” – the Durham & Newcastle Association of Church Bellringers First World War ringing commemoration. One hundred years ago a bellringer from St. Peter’s, Jarrow died. We rang to celebrate his life and the ultimate sacrifice that he made.

Second Lieutenant Frank Edward Scott,

Born 1881 in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne. The only son of Edward Hawkes Scott and Mary Scott, although he did have a Sister Hilda. Husband of Lilian Scott (née Haldane), of 19, Birch Street, Jarrow whom he married on 27/07/1907 at St Peter’s Church, Jarrow. Father of Godfrey Scott. He was active in the St Paul Lodge of Freemasons, Jarrow and at some point was Senior Warden. Resided (1911 Census) 35, Coquet Street, Jarrow, later moving to Breamish Street. He was a ringer at St. Peter’s Jarrow which was demolished in the 1970s but the bells were eventually saved by the Durham & Newcastle Association of Ringers and now ring out at Heworth Church.

He worked as a school teacher at Bill Quay council school before enlisting in the Royal Garrison Artillery 405th Siege Bty. The 405th. was engaged in the First Battles of the Somme which took place 21st. March – 4th. July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.

He was “dangerously wounded” and died on 4th. April 1918 aged 37 in a French hospital.

Frank is commemorated at Etaples Military Cemetery, France, Grave XXVIII G 3., on the ringers memorial plaque at Newcastle Cathedral, in the Central Council of Church Bellringers Great War Memorial Book below the ringing chamber at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, on the Monkton Memorial Cross, St. Pauls, Jarrow, Garden Memorial, Jarrow War Memorial Heroes Fund and on the Masonic Roll of Honour at the Freemasons’ Hall.

Frank Scott - we have remembered you