HUXLEY John Scott 2/Lt

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Surname: HUXLEY;

Forename(s): John Scott;

Initials: JS;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Previous Battalion: 9 of;

Previous Regiment: S Wales Borderers;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 100 Coy;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 16-Jul-1916;

Other Data: Tonbridge School & The Gt War: Portrait.
With 100 Coy at formation Apr 1916
death noted in war diary

Pair: Second Lieutenant J. S. Huxley, Machine Gun Corps, killed in action, High Wood, Fricourt, 15 July 1916

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Memorial Plaque (John Scott Huxley) extremely fine (3) £240-280
Footnote
John Scott Huxley was the second son of Mr & Mrs George Huxley, of Shortheath, Farnham and formerly of Tonbridge. Educated at Tonbridge School, 1898-1903. Employed with a firm of Architects in Australia before returning to England in February 1914 where he was employed in the export of slates from Wales. He also joined the Breconshire Special Constabulary in 1914. In the Spring of 1915 he applied for a commission and was gazetted to the 9th Battalion South Wales Borderers on 3 March 1915. Specialising in the use of machine guns, he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in January 1916. On 24 April 1916 he entered France with the 100th Company M.G.C. After serving in the La Bassee sector, the company was transferred to the Somme for the great offensive. In the course of the battle of Bazentin Ridge, which commenced on 14 July, 2nd Lieutenant Huxley was killed in action at High Wood, near Fricourt, on 15 July.

A brother officer wrote: ‘He was leading his section up a slope against a wood out of which was coming a most murderous fire from rifles and machine guns. He was absolutely fearless, and exposed himself almost recklessly in encouraging his men. He was shot through the head and became immediately unconscious. His section was completely lost without him, and his servant told me that he felt he had lost his father.’

His captain wrote: Besides the great personal loss I feel in the death of a very good friend, I have lost a most valuable and conscientious officer, who never stinted or shirked his work of whatever nature. He was greatly unselfish. His section was the first to gain honour, two men being awarded Military Medals for the action June 1-2. .... Had he lived I had intended recommending him for the Military Cross. He had already been recommended to the Brigadier for good work.’

With copied biographical and service details and a copied photograph of the recipient. The medals and plaque, together with five badges, two ‘pips’ and 10 buttons contained in a wooden glass fronted case, approx. 36 x 28.5cm. (DNW Nov '15);

Other Notes: HUXLEY, Second Lieutenant, JOHN SCOTT, 100th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 15th July 1916. Age 30. Son of George Thomas Scott Huxley and Emily Charlotta Huxley, of "Dropmore", Shortheath, Farnham, Surrey; husband of Eva Kathleen Gordon Huxley, of 2, Hill Court, Dorchester Rd., Weymouth, Dorset. Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C. Thiepval Memorial - Somme, France.;

END OF RECORD.

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