Ovillers-la-Boisselle in Somme, Upper France, France — Western Europe
The Last Letter of Pte. John Scollen
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
1. The Last Letter of Pte. John Scollen Marker
In the days prior to 1st July many men wrote 'last’ letters home. One such man was Pte. John Scollen the 27th Northumberland Fusiliers. This is his letter to his wife Christina and their seven children written on 27th June 1916.
My dear Wife and children it is with regret I write these last words of farewell to you. If it is God's Holy will that I should fall I will have done my duty to my King and country and I hope justly in the sight of God.
It is hard to part from you but keep a good heart Dear Tina and do not grieve for me God and His Blessed Mother will watch over you and my bonny little children and I have not the least doubt but that my country will help you. For the sake of one of its soldiers that has done his duty. Well Dear Wife Tina... you have been a good wife and mother to look after my canny bairns and I'm sure they will be a credit to both of us.
Dearest wife Christina accept this little souvenir of France, a cross made from a French bullet which I enclose for you.
My Joe, Jack, Tina and Aggie not forgetting my bonny twins
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I will try and get to do my duty whilst on this perilous undertaking and if I fall on the top of a massive bayonet then you will know that I died in God's Holy Grace. Tell all of my friends and yours also that I bid them farewell now.
My Dear wife and children I have not anything more to say only I wish you God's Holy Grace and Blessing so Goodbye Goodbye and think of me in your prayers. I know these are hard words to receive but God's will be done.
From your faithful soldier, Husband and father John Scollen B Coy 27th S.B.N.F.
Goodbye my loved ones, Don’t cry.
I made the cross myself.
Pte. John Scollen was killed on the 1st July. He is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
The Lochnagar Crater is privately owned by Richard Dunning MBE and is dedicated to Remembrance, Respect and Reconciliation.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
'The Lochnagar Promise For Peace'
“In Remembrance of all those who have suffered in conflict, and those who are suffering still may we live our lives today with more Compassion and Kindness. Understanding and Forgiveness Reconciliation and Unity. Let us now, in their honour, wage
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
2. The Last Letter of Pte. John Scollen Marker
The Trustees are grateful for the generous bequest which enabled the refurbishment of these Visitor Information Panels.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
La dernière lettre du Soldat John Scollen
Dans les jours qui ont précédé le 1 juillet, de nombreux hommes ont écrit des des 27 Northumberland Fusiliers. Voici la lettre qu'il a écrite à son épouse Christin et à leurs sept enfants, le 27 juin 1916.
Ma chère épouse et mes chers enfants, c'est avec regret que je vous écris ces derniers mots dalies. Si c'est la Sainte volonté de Dieu que je tombe, alors j'aurais fait mon devoir et mon Roi d mon pays et je l'espère, de façon juste aux yeux de Dieu.
Il est difficile de vous quitter, mais garde le moral, ma chère Tina, a ne te ploe pas, Dies at Sa Sainte Mère veilleront sur toi et mes beaux petits enfants et je n'a pas le monde doute que pays vous soutiendra. Pour l'un de ses soldats qui a fait son devoir. Er hin, ma Chire Ep Time tu as été une bonne épouse et une bonne mère à prendre soin de mes petits chempas et je mas certain qu'ils nous feront honneur.
Ma très chère épouse Tina, nequit ce petit souvenir de la France, une croix fabriquée à parte d' balle française que je joins à cette lettre.
Mes chers Joe, Jack, Tina at Aggie, sans oublier mes magnifiques jam Non Hugh a m dernier rayon de soleil, que je n'ai eu le grand plaisir de voir qu'une seule fois depuis qu'il en ve au monde, que Dieu les bénisse.
Je vais tâcher de faire mon devate lors de cette entreprise périlleuse et si je tombe sur la pointe énorme baionnette, alors vous saurez que je suis mort dans la Grace Sainte de Dies, Des & mer amis et aux tiens également que je leur dis maintenant alieu.
Mes chers épouse et enfants, je n'ai rien à ajouter de plus son que je vous sombate la Sainte Grice de Dieu et ses bénédictions, alors Adieu Adieu a pensez à mon dans vos prises, Jequ mots seront pénibles à recevoir mais que la volonté de Dieu son fute.
De votre fidèle soldat, Mari et père Jobin Scollen, Co. 27eme S.B.N.F.
Adieu mes chéris, Ne pleurez pas.
J'ai fait la croix moi-même.
Le soldat John Scollen a été tué le 1er juillet. Son nom est gravé sur le Commonwealth War Graves Commission Mémorial de Thiepval aux disparus de la Somme.
Erected by The Lochnagar Crater Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1916.
Location. 50° 0.957′ N, 2° 41.858′ E. Marker is in Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France (Upper France), in Somme. It is on Route de la Grande Mine east of Route D20, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Rte de la Grande Mine, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France 80300, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lochnagar Crater of La Boisselle (a few steps from this marker); Vera Brittain (a few steps from this marker); Pilgrimage: Tom Easton's visits to his friends at Bécourt (a few steps from this marker); Shot at Dawn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Unseen Scars of War... (within shouting distance of this marker); T'isnt worth it.... (within shouting distance of this marker); 15th and 16th Royal Scots (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); An account by Pte. Billy Disbrey (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovillers-la-Boisselle.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
