Walter Scott was born in Brussels, Huron County, Ontario, on August 11, 1893, the son of Peter Scott (a blacksmith) and Margaret (nee Brine) Scott, of Brussels, Ontario. His siblings included Joseph Brine (born 1884); Donald Stewart (born 1886); Margaret Aileen (born 1889); and James Cline (born 1892). Walter’s nephew, Archie Scott, and a cousin, Mrs. Bolt Reid resided in Sarnia as well. After being educated at Brussels’ public school and Seaforth Collegiate, Walter began teaching at Auburn and Colinville. He then attended the University of Toronto Faculty of Education 1913-14 and became Assistant Principal at Earl Grey School, Toronto the following year. Having taught school at Colinville and being employed by the Reid Wrecking Company for around a year, Walter was well known in Sarnia and the vicinity.
Walter enlisted on December 23, 1915 in Clinton, Ontario with the 33rd Regiment, listing his occupation as school teacher. At the time of his enlistment, he was teaching in Toronto. From the 33rd Regiment, he was later appointed Lieutenant of the 161st Huron County Battalion and went overseas in November 1916. In March of 1918, Walter was transferred to the Army, Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 47th Battalion, with the rank of Lieutenant. On August 10, 1918, on the third day after the Battle of Amiens, during Canada’s final Hundred Days Campaign, Walter Scott would lose his life while fighting in France. Walter Scott would later be officially listed as, Killed in Action. While leading his platoon in the attack upon the village of Fouquescourt about noon on August 10th, he was struck by a machine gun bullet and although his wound was immediately dressed, he died half an hour afterwards. Twenty-five year old Walter Scott is buried in Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, Somme, France, Grave II.N.15. His name is also listed on the “Roll of Honour of the Ontario Teachers Who Served in the Great War.”
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G