Canon Frederick G. Scott (1862–1944)

Scott was born on Montreal in 1861. After obtaining an MA from Bishop's College, he studied theology in England becoming an Anglican priest in 1886. Returning to Canada, he became rector at St. Mathew's Church in Quebec City. In 1906 he became involved in the militia. When WW I broke out, at the age of 53 he immediately volunteered to join the chaplain service leaving for England in October 1914 with the first Canadian soldiers.

He served at the front from 1915 until he was wounded in October 1918. He was at almost every important Canadian battle escaping serious injury many times as he comforted the wounded and in some cases ventured into no man's land to assist in the rescue of the wounded.

According to his memoir, he was loved by the soldiers he served often organizing entertainment and comforts them. He also read them his poetry whenever the opportunity presented itself and from his self-a facing comments one can ascertain that it wasn't always appreciated.

His views of the German soldier as a vicious monster that was common in the propaganda of the time is prevalent in this book. Scott frequently took part in the action by pointing out enemy soldiers to snipers and artillery units.

He was an interesting man who led an amazing life and one gets a good picture of the soldier's life in the trenches in WW I from his book.… (más)

Grand read. Make no mistake, Canon Scott was a product of his time and class - a robust, muscular Christian with a firm belief in the power and right of the British Empire. He was also a strong Canadian nationalist. Above all he was the best of all possible chaplains. He spent time with the troops whom he not only loved but respected; he remained on good terms with the commanders who he counseled and used as occasion demanded in order to look after his flock; and he was very much what the Germans called a "frontschwein" - he spent much of his time under enemy guns. No sky pilot he. He had a sense of humor, an understanding of human foibles and weakness, and never lost sight of his aim, being the influencing of his flock into devout and muscular Christianity. Loved the book.… (más)