The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G W Scott

George Wardrop Scott was born on 2nd May 1911 at Scone, Perthshire. He gained a First Class Honours Degree in chemical engineering at the University of Glasgow.

In May 1935 Scott began work as a shift engineer with the British Aluminium Company at Fort William. He went to the Company's plant at Kinlochleven in 1937 as Assistant Manager of the Carbon Plant. In December 1937 Scott joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called up at the outbreak of war.

With his training completed, he probably joined 64 Squadron at Leconfield from 7 OTU about 18th September 1940. Scott made his first operational sortie on the 21st and saw his first enemy aircraft on the 23rd. He moved to 19 Squadron at Fowlmere on 25th September 1940.

Commissioned in March 1941, Scott was awarded the AFC (gazetted 8th June 1944) for his work as an instructor in the Spitfire Wing at CGS Sutton Bridge.

He commanded 124 Squadron at Westhampnett from September 1944 to June 1945, operating Spitfires.

Released in late 1945, as a Squadron Leader, Scott rejoined British Aluminium at Fort William as Technical Assistant in the Carbon Plant.

In 1947 he joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and served with it until 1956, when he went to Canada to work for the Canadian British Aluminium Company.

He was made an MBE (gazetted 1st June 1953) in recognition of his volunteer service as a pilot in the defence of the United Kingdom. At the time of the award Scott was a Flight Commander in 603 Squadron.

He settled in Canada and died there in 1986.

****************

The photo at top was taken from this image, courtesy of Keith Lawrence via John Bennett.

124 Squadron, Coltishall March 1945

Back row:

F/L Maltby, F/L Frank James, W/O Taffy Williams, F/L PL Phillips DFC, W/O George Beadle, F/O Ivor Orton,W/O Charlie Farquarson, F/L Binder Brooks, W/O Jessie James, F/S Joe Lett

Middle row:

W/O Pat Patterson, F/L Keith Lawrence, F/L John Melia, S/L Scott, F/L Max Charlesworth, F/L Freddie Forth, P/O Trav Travis,

Bottom row:

W/O Harris?, W/O Neil Howard, W/O Mac Macall,F/O Jonnie Johnson, W/O Latimer, W/O Jones

Spitfire Ixe HFs