George Scott was born in Mullocky Gully, which is in the hills near the Taieri Plain and crossed by the Wingatui Viaduct of the Central Otago railway. He was the younger of twins. He was working as a railway porter in Palmerston when he joined the army in 1915. He had also represented Otago and the South Island in their respective rugby teams.
In 1916 George was hospitalised with mumps, then wounded in action shortly after he rejoined his unit. In June of that year he was hospitalised again, with an initial diagnosis of shell shock, later revised to exhaustion. In August 1917 he was promoted to Corporal and on October 12th he was with the 10th Company, 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment at Bellevue Spur in Passchendaele.
George's Company began the battle with losses from artillery fire - their own artillery fire, which was meant to be bombarding the German trenches which were the Otagos' destination. Leaving their trenches, deep mud from days of rain slowed their advance and made them easy targets for the German machine guns in their concrete pillboxes which would normally be at least damaged by the artillery. By the time the 10th Company reached German lines, all of their officers had been killed or wounded. The mud and wire of Bellevue Spur were the last things seen by George Scott.
CORPORAL G SCOTT.
It was stated last week that Corporal George Scott had been reported wounded. It now transpires that Mr Scott, who will be remembered as Otago’s representative full-back, has had the misfortune to lose both his eyes. When he enlisted he was acting as railway porter at Palmerston South. -Evening Star, 5/11/1917.
LETTER FROM GEORGE SCOTT
BLIND BUT HAPPY
The following letter, written to a friend in Dunedin by Corporal George Scott, will be read with interest. George Scott will be remembered by many for his services to Otago as full-back in many keenly-fought interprovincial matches:
St. Dunstan's. Regent Park. 28th May. I have much pleasure in writing you a few lines as a blind man, to give you an idea that we are taught everything possible to bring us equal to a sighted person. I am learning poultry farming, carpentry, and the Braille system. The latter is taught us to be able to read books. It may seem strange to you, but it is true. I am also learning the typewriter, to be able to do my own correspondence; so you can see that we are not down in the world. I took it very sore for a start to be blind: but when I got to this blind institution it gave me back all that I had lost. I will be as well off, if not better, than before, as I will prove to you when I get back. There are worse things than being blind, and I got it for a good cause. I am getting married on Saturday, June 1. How is football progressing in Dunedin. 1 hope the name of the Kaikorai Club is still to the fore. A good many of the old players have gone under. Tell Alex. McDonald for me that he has to keep young, to be able to play and show the road for the young generation. I will close now, wishing to be remembered to all my old pals, and trusting this letter finds you in the best of health, as it leaves me in the pink. -Mt Benger Mail, 31/7/1918.
Football (excerpt)
At the meeting of the Otago Union on Monday night Messrs Holden and Sinclair, of the Kaikorai Club, made application for a match to be arranged before the end of the season for the benefit of George Scott, who was blinded while in action in France. Scott in his day was one of the best-known full-backs in the dominion, and represented Otago and the South Island. During his absence at the front he always kept in touch with his old clubmates (he had belonged first to Taieri Rovers and afterwards to Kaikorai), and his keenness on football is even now not one whit diminished. While in the convalescent home in England he learned poultry farming, and he intends to follow this occupation in the future. -Otago Daily Times, 7/8/1919.
TAIERI RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION (excerpt)
It was resolved to hold a benefit entertainment at an early date to assist Corporal George Scott, who is totally blind. A strong committee was set up to advance the arrangements. -Otago Daily Times, 9/8/1919.
Mosgeil Notes (excerpt)
The Taieri Returned Soldiers' Association are out in earnest on behalf of one of their comrades, Corporal George Scott, who had the great misfortune to completely lose his sight while on active service. The first move for his benefit is a benefit concert to be held in the Coronation Hall on Friday, 29th inst., and the soldier promoters intend to make it one of the best events held here for years. -Evening Star, 15/8/1919.
Football (excerpt)
The "Soccer" players have offered to take part in the benefit match to Mr George Scott, and the Rugby Union has accepted the offer. A "soccer" match — probably Returned Soldiers v. an Otago team — will be played as a curtain raiser to the University-Rest of Otago match. All supporters of sport are sure to be present at the Carisbrook Ground on September 6. -Otago Daily Times, 28/8/1919.
RUGBY FOOTBALL
G. SCOTT BENEFIT MATCH.
The benefit match in aid of George Scott, the Otago and South Island representative, who lost his eyesight whilst fighting for his King and country, to be played at Carisbrook next Saturday, is causing a great deal of interest. The match will be between the Otago University and an Otago team.. This should provide an interesting exhibition of Rugby, as the 'Varsity can be relied upon to give good display, and the Otago team should also be capable of playing high-class football. Tickets are selling- very freely, and a record attendance is expected. As a curtain-raiser the Otago Football Association have offered to play a match Otago v. Returned Soldiers' team, which should also prove an attraction. The Kaikorai Band have also offered their services, and will march to the ground and play selections there. -Evening Star, 30/8/1919.
BENEFIT CONCERT AT MOSGIEL.
Under the auspices of the Taieri Returned Soldiers' Association, a benefit concert was held at Mosgiel last night on behalf of Corporal George Scott, who had the misfortune to lose the sight of both his eyes while in the firing line. The attendance was very large, and the programme was under the direction of the Commercial Travellers' Entertainers.
After a verse of the National Anthem, the Commercial Travellers' Choir sang the part-song "The Soldiers' Chorus." Messrs Kitchen, Kelly, and George followed with a delightful instrumental trio. The vocalists were well known on the concert platform — Mrs Astley Black, Mrs Hudson, and Messrs John Leech, McClymont, and Mortley Peake — and needless to add, their solos were much enjoyed. Elocutionary items were given by Mr S. Osborn and Miss H. Patrick, both artists finding great favour with the audience. A well-played clarionet solo was given by Mr George, and four additional part-songs were sung by the choir. The audience signified its appreciation of the efforts of the performers by hearty applause and frequent recalls. Mr Leslie Tyrie was accompanist, and Mr Sydney Gilchrist musical director. The concert should be the means of providing a substantial sum for the object in view. -Otago Daily Times, 30/8/1919.
FOOTBALL
RUGBY.
OTAGO v. UNIVERSITY.
A match between a University fifteen and a team packed from the other clubs was played at Carisbrook on Saturday afternoon as a benefit for Corporal George Scott, the ex-Otago representative, who lost his eyesight in the war. Considerable interest was taken in the game, and there was am attendance of over 6,000 people. A large number of tickets had been sold, and the returns from those, together with subscriptions which are being voluntarily sent to the Rugby Union, should result in a substantial amount being gathered for the object in view. The Kaikorai Band was present, and played several times during the afternoon.
The University team took the field with an unbroken record for the season, and a keen game was anticipated. The forwards of Otago, however, proved the deciding factor of the. game, which resulted in a win for Otago by 25 points to nil.
University were without the services of Hutchison (who was injured shortly after the game started and went off) and Valentine, these two omissions making a vast difference in their back play. The Otago forwards kept 'Varsity on the defensive most of the time. When the backs of the latter did attempt to swing into action to attack, it was without their usual vim and style, and they invariably broke down. The retirement of Hutchison severely affected the strength of his side.
Begg, the 'Varsity full-back, was a tower of strength, to his side, but was very closelv watched by the opposition, whose tackling was very sure. Makereth did not show his usual good form. Among the Blue forwards Harty was prominent all the time. All the Otago forwards played well, those who were outstanding being Bain, Sim, and Campbell. Marks, the Otago five-eighth, showed considerable speed and cleverness. Several spectacular runs were made by Holmes, who, on one occasion, ran. about 80 yards, dodged several opponents, and sowed behind the posts.
For Otago tries were scored by Sim, Marks, Holmes, and Knox. Matheson converted two tries and kicked a goal from a free kick. Marks potted a goal.
Score: Otago 23 points. University Nil. Mr G. McKenzie was referee. -Evening Star, 8/9/1919.
Our Dunedin correspondent telegraphs that Saturday's benefit football match for George Scott (the cx-Otago Rugby full-back), who lost his sight while serving with the N.Z.E.F. at the war, realised about £500. -Press, 10/9/1919.
At time of writing, £500 is worth a shade under $58,000 today.
Poultry Notes
— Mr George Scott, a returned soldier and well-known footballer, and who is now blind, has decided to start poultry-keeping in the Mosgiel district. I learn that he is importing some light Sussex from the Old Country, and judge by this fact that his aim is to raise birds which will answer as table as well as laying birds. The well-wishers of Mr Scott, who must be numerous, will be glad to hear of this evidence of unsubdued enterprise on the part of their friend. -Otago Witness, 11/11/1919.
TRAGEDY OF BLINDED SOLDIER
Thrift of War Victim and His Heroic Wife Penalised by Legal Provisions
MINISTER HAS "NO POWER TO INTERFERE"
Plunged Into World of Darkness by Enemy Bullet
(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Dunedin Representative)
German wire — barbed and black-rusted curse of the infantry — on the quagmire slopes of Bellevue Spur, was the last sight that ever met the gaze of George Scott, late corporal of 10th Company, 2nd Otago Battalion.
On October 12, 1917, in the terrible battle of Passchendaele, an enemy machine-gun bullet, tearing its way across his face, left Scott — sightless.
To-day, with the two ghastly cavities that for nearly twelve years have been two running wounds, Scott has been called upon to face another form of entanglement which a mail-fisted Pensions Board has drawn taut across the blind ex-soldier's future domestic happiness.
THIS is Scott's history, from the time, when, before the war, he was a care-free citizen and notable South Island rep. footballer, to the present date, when as an eyeless and hopelessly disfigured victim of a German bullet, he has been picked out by the Pensions Board and plucked of a few paltry pounds per year from his war pension allowance.
Before joining up with the 9th Reinforcements, Scott was in the employ of the Railway Department. His reputation as a Rugby footballer was wellknown. On reaching France, he was attached to the 2nd Company, 2nd. Canterbury Battalion. Wounded on more than one occasion, eventually he was drafted to 10th Company, 2nd Otago Battalion.
There is no need to recount the horrors of the battle of Passchendaele, in which miserable failure Scott received his terrible wound. As most diggers will affirm whose memories survive that memorable dawn of October 12, 1917, no pen-narrative can ever give full description of the shell-pitted morass through which the New Zealand troops were asked to advance upon a fortified enemy. An extract from an official report on the action runs thus: "Some men managed to crawl under the first belt of wire within a few yards of the enemy pill-boxes, but owing to the accuracy of rifle and machine-gun fire no further progress could be made.
Corporal George Scott was one of those brave, mud-saturated fellows, who, in the teeth of a hail of death, had dragged themselves into the coils of the impassable monster — WIRE! And there, in the face of vicious machine-guns and deadly snipers, struggling against the impossible odds of unbroken wire-entanglements and waist-deep bogs, Scott felt the rip of red-hot lead across his face, and then — darkness. His two eyes were shot clean out of his head.
Weeks of pain
It was three days before the wretched fellow was brought out of the danger-zone to a Casualty Clearing Station, whence he was transported to England. Weeks of wracking physical pain, and hours of mental torture in the realisation of his dreadful plight.
Then, while Scott was still in Hospital, Romance stretched out a soft hand to guide him through his eternal darkness to the happiness of a woman's love.
In 1918 he returned to New Zealand happily married to the nurse who had cared for him through the first despairing months of his new affliction. On his reaching Dunedin, Scott's pitiable condition appealed to the hearts of his old football associates and district-wide admirers and friends.
A benefit football match at Carisbrook Park, a concert at Mosgiel and a sympathetic gesture by the Dunedin Commercial Travellers' Association, combined in a supreme effort to give the poor chap some financial recompense for what he had forfeited physically for his Country.
A sum of about £900 was handed to Scott as a result of public response to the various functions, and with this amount Scott bought himself a section and home. He was allotted the full pension of a totally disabled soldier, together with the usual economic pension granted in such cases to married returned men.
His allowance was supplemented by a further payment of £4/6/8 per month payable to Mrs. Scott as an attendant's allowance, Scott's injury being a running wound which demanded constant and professional care.
With the arrival of two children a further £1 per week was added to the man's pension allowance, and thus, with his own home and the advantage of a thrifty wife, Scott was able to save money out of his total weekly allowance of £6/10/- per week.
In December last Scott received notification from the Commissioner of Pensions that the allowance' for the children, then aged 9 and 5 years respectively, was to be discontinued.
This was the letter received by Scott: —
"With reference to the pension payable to your wife on behalf of your children, it has come to the knowledge of the War Pensions Board that you have £900 on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand. I shall be glad if you will advise for the information of the board where this money was received and why it has not been disclosed when your circumstances have been enquired into annually in connection with the renewal of children's pension. . . . (signed) G. C. Fache.
On behalf of her husband, Mrs. Scott supplied the necessary details to the Pensions Department, explaining that, owing to police officers who had carried out the duties of annual inquiries on behalf of the Pensions Department in previous years not having asked about their financial position, the fact of their having a substantial banking account had not been recorded in previous reports.
The matter was then taken up by Mr. A. E. Ansell, M.P., who, on February 14 appealed to the Minister of Justice, Mr. Wilford./ With Mr. Ansell's permission, "N.Z. Truth" has been privileged to peruse the correspondence which has passed between him and the Minister.
In reply to Mr. Ansell's first letter, Mr. Wilford pointed out that, it had been revealed that Scott had over £1200 invested, and the board had decided to cancel the pension payable on behalf of the children.
A further letter to, and a personal interview with, Mr. Wilford brought Mr. Ansell's appeal, so far as the Minister of Justice was concerned, to a deadlock.
Taking the opportunity of personally interviewing the Prime Minister during a recent visit to Dunedin, Mr. Ansell pursued what any fair-minded man would take up on behalf of a war-maimed sufferer upon whom a heartless Pensions Board had applied the thumb-screws of paltry economy.
Receiving the Prime Minister's promise that he would look into the case, Mr. Ansell backed up his interview with a written appeal.
Several weeks transpired before he received final notice from Sir Joseph Ward stating that the board's decision would remain unchanged. This, then, it would almost seem, to dampen public sympathy and generosity towards war-crippled ex-soldiers, to discourage the exercise of thrift by recipients of war pensions, and to quench an otherwise helpless breadwinner's unselfish efforts to provide for the future welfare of his wife and children is the policy of a Pensions Department which on the slightest excuse, puts its parsimonious hand into a blind man's pocket.
Scott was put financially on his feet by public endeavor. He and his courageous little wife have since practised self-denial and household economy with a view to safeguarding their two children against the uncertain fates of the future.
Yet, on account of their thrift — their pathetically built little nest-egg — they must now, when the children are becoming a bigger drain on the household purse, accept as their reward this hard ruling of the Pensions Department.
To some people a four-figure bank account may spell untold wealth, but what is it against the disturbing possibilities which are ever foremost in Scott's mind?
For instance, should anything happen to the man, whether his death were attributable to war service or not, Mrs. Scott and her children would relinquish any claim to the State benefits of a war-pensioned soldier's family.
At the discretion of the board, however, Mrs Scott might be granted a pension of L1 a week for a period of two years, with further allowance for the children until each attained the age of sixteen years. This pet piece of departmental economy takes effect through legislation which decrees that unless the board can be satisfied that on the date of his departure from New Zealand there was a binding contract of marriage between the soldier and the woman who has become his wife, a country's gratitude goes with the digger to his grave.
This applies, of course, not just to the families of disabled diggers who married overseas without pre-war engagements of marriage, but to every pension-drawing returned man who, on settling down to civilian life, has followed the natural inclination of taking to himself a life-mate.
Had Scott and his wife squandered the public's gift of 1919, prodigally misused their substantial pension allowance, and declined to recognise the vital contingencies of the future, doubtless the Pensions Board would have refrained from bringing into such shabby play its skinflint shears.
When the facts of this case were submitted to the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Justice, he stated that he had obtained particulars from the Pensions Board, and he found that George Scott was married in London on June 1, 1918, after the injury which resulted in his total blindness.
The Minister told "Truth" that the statutory right of a totally disabled soldier, no matter what the disablement was, had been fixed by the War Pensions Act of 1917 at £2 a week.
The board considered that £2 a week was not enough for a totally blinded soldier, and it decided, in the first instance, to give him an allowance of £1 a week for an attendant, whether he had the attendant or not, and it also granted an extra £1 a week which was called a supplementary pension.
Every blind man, therefore, regardless of his circumstances, received £2 a week statutory pension, making a total of £4 a week. Under the Finance Act of 1920 the Government gave the board £50,000 for distribution as it thought fit to totally disabled soldiers.
This was divided up by the board among totally disabled soldiers at the rate of 10/- a week. From that date every totally blind soldier received a notice that he would get £4/10/- a week for life. That was the maximum under the law.
Later, continued the Minister, a statutory provision was made to take the place of the supplementary pension, and the 10/ a week above referred to, and under the heading of "economic pension" £1/10/- a week was granted instead of the supplementary pension of £1 a week and the 10/- allowance.
Then came the question of the wife. The law said she had to be the wife of a soldier married before the soldier's disablement. Another provision was made by the board under which it was required to take into account the circumstances of a soldier in assessing the wife's pension, with the result that, regardless of the man's circumstances the wife received a pension of £1 a week during his lifetime.
What Law Says
Every married blind soldier was therefore receiving a pension of £5/10/- a week regardless of his circumstances, while no other class of totally disabled soldier was getting anything like the same amount, because, in all other cases their economic pensions were subject to reduction according to circumstances.
Similarly, if the wife of a disabled soldier, other than a totally blind soldier, was earning £1 a week the board did not grant a pension to her.
All the interpretations of the law applying to other classes of pensions had been ignored when claims of blind soldiers had been under consideration, but when it came to the case of the wife and children of the blinded soldier the board thought it a reasonable thing to fix a minimum, for it was met with such cases as those in which a blind man who was a masseur with a wife and child, while receiving £5/10/- a week from the Pensions Board, as shown above, was also making a good income as a masseur, and the board held it was entitled to take circumstances into account when dealing with the pensions of children.
The board further held that there should be some limit to the grant that should be paid in the case of blind soldiers, comparing such cases with those of others in convalescent homes who were in some respects worse off.
No married soldier without children, except the totally blinded soldier was getting £5/10/- a week from the War Pensions Board, continued Mr. Wilford, and this was the important point touching "Truth's" enquiry.
Immediately a blinded soldier with children got any income which the board considered affected his rights, the board made a corresponding reduction.
Under the law the board takes into account the soldier's circumstances; that is, a blind soldier with a wife and child received £5/10/- a week and 10/- a week for the child unless such blinded soldier got an income:
That is to say, that, while the statute says the soldier's pension was unaffected by his circumstances, it laid down that the pension of the children was affected by his circumstances, and in this connection it had to be remembered that the wife of the soldier in the present case married him after he lost his sight.
It was true that the Pensions Board originally granted 10/- per week for each child, but when it came to the knowledge of the board that, in addition to the £5/10/- which it was paying the soldier, it had also been paying 10/- a week for each child, making a pension of £6/10/- a week, while at the same time the soldier was receiving interest on a sum of £900 which he had on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand, the interest on £290 which he had in the Post Office Savings Bank as well as living in a house free from encumbrance and getting an allowance from the Government of £24 per annum, the board felt bound to observe the law and take into consideration the soldier's other circumstances with relation to the pension for the children.
The board calculated that at the lowest estimate the interest and allowance from the Government received by the soldier amounted to certainly 27/- a week which brought the total pension, before the reduction, to £7/17/- a week. The reduction was therefore made in strict accordance with the law, and as Minister of Defence, Mister Wilford said he had no power to interfere while the law was as it was at present. -NZ Truth, 27/6/1929.
Two years later, George Scott died after suffering from chronic sinusitis, then osteomyelitis and meningitis. Which means that, after an inflammation of his sinuses which had lasted for years, the bones of his skull became infected. The infection spread and became meningitis.
I simply cannot imagine the pain which would have come with this, and the suffering endured by George and Lily. There must have come a time when they both realised that George's case was a hopeless one.
What courage there is, that exists behind the closed doors and in the hospital rooms of every town.
Deaths
SCOTT. — On June 7, 1931, at Dunedin, 8/3753 Corporal George Scott, late 9th Reinforcements, N.Z.E.F., dearly beloved husband of Lily Scott, of Thames street, Mosgiel, and loved second son of Mr and Mrs William Scott, of Factory road, Mosgiel; aged 42 years. Deeply mourned. — The Funeral will leave his late residence To-day (Tuesday), May 9, at 2.30 p.m., for the East Taieri Cemetery.
— R. McLean and Son, undertakers. -Otago Daily Times, 9/6/1931.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
TAIERI RETURNED SOLDIERS are requested to attend the Funeral of the late Corporal GEORGE SCOTT (8/3753), which will leave his late Residence, Thames street, Mosgeil, at 2.30 p.m., TO-DAY (TUESDAY), for the East Taieri Cemetery.
Good intent lodge, no. 8, U.A.O.D. MOSGIEL.
The Members of the above Lodge and Sister Lodges are respectfully requested to attend the Funeral of the late Bro. GEORGE SCOTT, which will leave his late Residence, Thames street, Mosgeil, at 2.30 p.m., TODAY (TUESDAY), for the East Taieri Cemetery. Members will meet in Thames street at 2.15 p.m.
D. THOMSON, Arch Druid. -Otago Daily Times, 9/6/1931.
Druidism (excerpt)
It was with regret that the lodge reported the death of another member, Bro. George Scott, who, after a long illness, had passed away on Sunday. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Tuesday, six of the lodge members acting as pallbearers along with some of his friends from other interested bodies. The Druids’ funeral oration was very ably rendered by P.A. Bro. M. G. Thompson, and it was resolved that a letter of sympathy and condolence be forwarded to the relatives. -Evening Star, 13/6/1931.
Saturday's Sport (excerpt)
ZINGARI TOO GOOD FOR TAIERI
UNION BEATS DUNEDIN
When the very heavy nature of the Bishopscourt ground is taken into consideration the exhibition of Rugby provided by Zingari and Taieri was of a high order. A very even first spell, in which Taieri kicked a penalty goal, was followed by some bright passing rushes by the Zingari backs, and three good tries were scored. Taieri had several opportunities, which they failed to take advantage of. The Taieri players wore black bands on their arms out of respect for the late George Scott. In the first spell the visiting pack was scrumming much better than usual, and gained the ball from most of the scrums. -Evening Star, 15/6/1931.
BEREAVEMENT NOTICES
MRS GEORGE SCOTT and Family desire to Thank all kind friends for kindnesses, expressions of sympathy, and floral tributes, in their recent sad bereavement.
MR AND MRS W. SCOTT and Family, of Mosgiel, desire to Thank all kind friends and relatives for expressions of sympathy, telegrams, letters, and floral tributes received during their recent sad bereavement. -Otago Daily Times, 24/6/1931.
WIDOW’S SACRIFICE
War Pension Sought
The inability of a woman who had cared for her husband for thirteen years after he was blinded at Passchendaele to secure a war widow’s pension, was brought under the notice of the House during the afternoon by Mr. A. E. Ansell (Ref., Chalmers). He said the woman concerned was the widow of Mr. George Scott, an ex-All Black footballer.
While Mr. Scott was in St. Dunstan's Hospital, in England, he was married to an English nurse, Mr. Ansell said. With a great deal of self-sacrifice she had married the man, knowing that she would have to care for him for the years they were destined to live together. Expert attention was required by her husband every day, and under her skilled care he lived for thirteen years, mostly in New Zealand. He had taken the case before the Minister in Charge of Pensions, Mr. Ansell said, and the man’s death was admitted to be due to war service. The widow was granted a gratuity equivalent to a two years’ pension, namely, £1 a week, but it was stated that owing to the fact that she had not been married before her husband left New Zealand, and that she had not even been engaged, she was not entitled to receive a war widow’s pension. The case was again taken to the Minister, who later said that although he had gone fully into the question, the law would not allow any other course to be taken.
Mr. Ansell said the question now was whether the House was prepared to throw aside consideration for the widow who had spent the summer of her life earing for a man who had made such a sacrifice for his country, and let the matter drop because of faulty legislation. “I believe that neither the House nor the country will accept the Minister’s reply — personally I refuse to accept it as the last word,” Mr. Ansell said. “I believe that the legislation should be altered, giving the Minister power to act where the circumstances justify his doing so.” -Dominion, 15/7/1931.
BLIND SOLDIER'S WIDOW
(To the Editor.)
Sir, — Mr. A. E. Ansell, M.P., is to be sincerely congratulated on his advocacy in the House of Representatives of the case of the widow of the late Mr. George Scott, a blind soldier, who recently died as the result of war injuries. The position of the widow of a blind soldier in similar circumstances to the late Mr. Scott is anomalous. While he was alive, his wife and himself received a pension of £5 10s per week, not an over-generous allowance in view of his affliction and its cause, but on his death the widow has been awarded the gratuity payable in terms of the law, namely, 20s per week for a period of two years from the date of the ex-soldier's demise. If Mrs. Scott was able to prove that there was a binding contract to marry subsisting between herself and the late soldier prior to his departure from New Zealand with the Expeditionary Force; the War Pensions Board would reconsider the case with a view to granting a widow's pension under the War Pensions Act. This Mrs. Scott was not able to do, but it must be counted in her favour that she knew of her future husband's affliction, and yet became his life partner. There are other blind soldiers in New Zealand who are married under similar circumstances to this returned soldier. Surely the Act can be amended to give the Minister discretion to act when he considers the case warrants, it. The thanks of the trustees of this fund are accorded Mr. Ansell for giving this matter publicity.
— I am, etc., R. E. SELBY. Hon. Secretary, Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Blind Soldiers' and Sailors' Fund. -Evening Post, 18/7/1931.
Lily Scott saw her son, George Walter Reid Scott, marry in July, 1941, shortly before going off to war. Her worries for her son can only be imagined but he returned. He served as a Signaller at the Headquarters of 3rd Divisional Signals, but Lily would not necessarily have known that.
Lily, whose courage leaves me at a loss for words, lived until 1971. I hope her life was a happy one, sustained by her family and friends. She lies beside George, at East Taieri Cemetery, near Mosgeil.
East Taieri Cemetery. DCC photo.
