In 1901, the Scrimgeour family were living at “Sydenham”, Glasgow Road, Perth: Father, John (Dyers Warehouse Manager) (51); Mother, Elizabeth (53); Daughter, Annie R. (21); Daughter, Janet F. (Pupil Teacher) (19); Daughter, Caroline (15); and Son, John S. (12). Also living at this address was a family relative, Helen Carr (Milliner) (20).

John Scrimgeour was born on the 18th October 1889. He was living in Winnipeg, Manitoba when he enlisted in No. 2 Company, 28th Battalion, on the 24th February 1915. Before he enlisted John was employed as a Clerk. He was a good cricketer and is mentioned in “Wisden on the Great War” as playing cricket for the Young Conservative Cricket Club of Winnipeg.

The 28th Battalion (Northwest) CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). It was authorised on the 7th November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on the 29th May 1915, arriving in France on the 18th September 1915, where it fought as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.

Battle for Messines, 6th - 19th April 1916

The 2nd Canadian Division was part of the Canadian Corps and took it’s place in the line near the Messines Ridge, south of Ypres. On 4th April, the Canadian Corps moved into the trenches opposite Messines Ridge with orders to hold the area, which had been gained by British assaults in March. Two days later, the Germans unleashed a furious counter-attack against the untried Canadians. A desperate battle ensued, and, over the next two weeks, the German troops slowly pushed the Canadians back. By 19th April, the British gains had been lost.

John Scrimgeour lost his life on 19th April 1916, during this action. He was 27 years old. John Scrimgeour is also commemorated on the Lodge Scoon and Perth No. 3 War Memorial, Perth; the Wilson United Free Church War Memorial, Perth; and the Regina War Memorial, Saskatchewan.