Corporal Thomas Scott served in No.11 Commando 10 troop [1]. Awarded the George Medal for gallant and distinguished service whilst on the strength of Force 133 (MEF) S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) [2][3].

On 21September 1943, Cpl. Scott, together with Major Petro and Capt. Virkow, were dropped by parachute on Lisac Forest in N.E. Serbia within 5 miles of the enemy occupied village of Zlot, but the party was carried by wind far from this zone into deep forest. There was no moon.

In trying to disentangle themselves while hanging from trees, Capt. Virkow and Cpl. Scott fell from heights of about 30/40 ft. Capt. Virkow broke a hip bone and both arms, Cpl. Scott a leg, and also displaced bones in his spine.

Both were found unconscious by Guerillas, they were tended secretly by a Serbian doctor from enemy-occupied territory and in both cases, due to shock and exposure, pneumonia intervened. In about one month Cpl. Scott was well enough to hobble about on crutches but Capt. Virkow's hip never 'set' and he was immobile.

From October, 1943 to April, 1944, Cpl. Scott, suffering acutely himself, journeyed with his officer to rejoin British lines. This meant constant sudden moves at the approach of the enemy, and often hiding from the enemy in close vicinity. Cpl. Scott was completely out of touch with base so that no medicines, or medical appliances, ever reached them, and always carrying Capt. Virkow over difficult mountain tracks.

It was only Cpl. Scott's selfless devotion and incredible tact in getting help from Guerillas accomplished this amazing feat. The situation was rendered more difficult when in December, 1943, H.M.G. withdrew support from General Mihailovic and gave active assistance to Marshal Tito. By May, 1944, they had joined up with some British officers, and Capt. Virkow was left in care of natives for treatment in a nursing camp (he was subsequently captured by the Germans). Cpl. Scott, having been officially relieved of his duties of caring for Capt. Virkow ultimately got to the coast and then home.

 

The death of Cpl. Tom Scott GM, of Westfield, Bathgate, West Lothian, was announced to members in Commando Association newsletter 82 issued March 1986. His trade on enlistment was a Gas Engineer and post war he continued in that field of work. In the 1950s he was the manager of the gas works in Linlithgow before leaving to take up a similar post in Portadown becoming a member of their local Rotary Club. There was an annual bowls match held in his memory at Lamlash, Isle of Arran between No.11 Commando veterans and a local team. The winners received the Tom Scott Memorial Cup. [4][5]