The Airmen's Stories - F/O W J M Scott

William John Moir Scott of Dundee, Scotland was born on 14th June 1915, the son of William Moir Scott and Katherine Ellen Scott (nee Campbell).

His father served in WW1 as a 2nd Lieutenant with 4th (City of Dundee) Battalion, the Black Watch.

WJM Scott was educated at Clifton College and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he read Mechanical Sciences.

Scott was a member of the University Air Squadron and was commissioned in Class 'AA' of the RAFO on 16th March 1937. He relinquished this on being granted a commission in the RAFVR on 1st January 1938.

The 1939 census recorded him as a 'Jute spinner and manufacturer'.

Above image courtesy of and © Donald family.

He was given the opportunity of six months continuous training with the regular RAF before the outbreak of war and joined 41 Squadron on 13th July 1939. Called to full-time service on 12th September 1939, Scott completed his training but became unwell and was classified unfit for the period 2nd November 1939 until 20th January 1940.

He later rejoined 41 Squadron, then based at Catterick, flying a first sortie on 23rd January 1940.

Scott destroyed a Me109 on 7th September 1940 near Dover, the pilot Uffz. W Melchert of 5./JG2 was captured.

The next day Scott was shot down and killed in Spitfire R6756 off Dover.

His body was washed up on 1st November and Scott, aged 25, was buried in Dundee Western Cemetery, Angus.

Additional research courtesy of 'Blood, Sweat and Courage; 41 Squadron RAF 1939-42'

(Steve Brew 2001, Fonthill Media).