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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 121

A superb and tragic campaign pair awarded to Captain T. B. Scott, Royal Navy, who went on to see action at Jutland aboard Agincourt receiving both the Legion of Honour and Order of the Redeemer to go with a 'mention' in 1918 he was discharged due to ill-health and took his own life just ten years later

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp, (Sub. Lt. T. B. Scott. R.N. H.M.S. Partridge.); Africa General Service 1902-62, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Lieut. T. B. Scott, R.N., H.M.S. Mohawk.), edge bruise, minor contact wear, very fine overall (2)

Note British Battles and Medals lists 150 no-clasp Queen's South African Medals issued to H.M.S. Partridge and 205 Somaliland 1902-04 issued to Mohawk.

M.I.D. whilst a Gazette entry for the recipient's 'mention' has not been located his service papers state:

'Mentioned in Despatches for outstanding devotion to duty during three years arduous service as [...] of Ocean Convoys'

[Legion of Honour] London Gazette 18 August 1918.

[Order of the Redeemer] London Gazette 24 May 1919.

Thomas Bodley Scott was born on 5 May 1879, likely in Hampshire, the son of Dr Thomas Scott, later Mayor of Bournemouth. Entered service on 15 July 1893 as a Naval Cadet at Britannia being advanced Midshipman with Repulse on 15 October 1895. Passing his exams he was finally commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 15 April 1899 and posted to St. Vincent as a Navigator in March 1900.

From there he joined Patridge on 23 November of that year and remaining with her until after she left the Cape of Good Hope Station, and being advanced Lieutenant on 30 June 1901, as such his medal was issued to him with her in December of that year. As such it was in that rank that he served with Mohawk off Somaliland, hunting gun runners which were supplying the Mullah's forces. Additionally she landed a Naval Brigade which were in on the action for the storming of the Illig forts.

Continuing to serve Scott received a great deal of praise from his commanders as a remarkably capable navigator. Advanced Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June 1909 he served with Venerable as her Navigator from 8 February 1913 and was further promoted Commander on 30 June 1914, he was still with her when the Great War began.

Posted to the Battleship Agincourt on 4 January 1915 he was still with her when she steamed into action at the Battle of Jutland. There she fired 144 twelve-inch shells and 111 six-inch shells during the engagement and despite having targeted multiple warships it is not known if she landed a hit. Remaining with her until 29 April 1918 he went ashore for a course of gyroscopes before being given his first command, the cruiser Diamond on 3 May 1918.

Scott was in bad health in the final years of the war and tragically it continued to deteriorate as after the conflict. Placed on the retired list at his own request on 14 February 1924 he was promoted Captain (Retired) on 5 May that same year. Taking a position at the Dover Harbour Board Scott was found at his desk dead, having apparently shot himself on 13 February 1928. The inquest which followed found that he had committed suicide whilst temporarily insane, they state 'caused by his ailment (diabetes)', effectively depression caused by the illness caused him to commit suicide, further entitled to a 1914-15 Star Trio which was sent to Vivid; sold together with copied medal rolls and service papers.

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Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240