James Leitch Scott

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

James Leitch Scott was born at 7.20pm on the 14th of October 1926 at 14, Dunrobin Street, Glasgow, the son of James Craig & Barbara Scott (née Thompson), who had married on the 2nd of July 1926 at Wellshot House, Camburslang. His father was a French Cleaner and his mother was a silk weaver who were both living at 35 Springfield Road, Glasgow. I believe this was a tenement building as the 1921 census shows us that there were six different families living there.

Sadly, I have no information on James Scott, neither his early nor teen years, and I do not know exactly when James Scott was to enlist in the Merchant Navy. 16 was the minimum age to apply to be a deck hand or catering staff in the Merchant Navy but the application form had to be signed by a parent. The records I can find for him reveal that he first served on the SS Fastnet in February 1944 and on the 12th April 1944 he was posted to LSI Empire Gauntlet. He was discharged to the special pool on the 10th May and then joined Chant 69 at Tilbury Docks on the 27th May. He was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom.

Chant 69 had been launched on the 10th March 1944 and completed in April.  Chants were responsible for supplying fuel to the barges during the the early days of the Normandy landings, before being reclassed as all-purpose supply ships.  She was placed on 'special service' on the 24th May and readied for the D-Day invasion. She capsized in rough weather off Juno Beach, Normandy, while carrying water between Gold and Sword Beaches, on the 16th June 1944. The ship was floating just below the surface until she was sunk by the Royal Navy for safety reason.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of James Scott. If you are aware of one, or you are related to James, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.

Chant 69 rests at a depth of about 40 metres, ten nautical miles north of Luc-sur-Mer. The site has been surveyed for the Maritime Archaeology of the Normandy Landings and the survey details, including images of the wreck, can be found here