Remembering a Veteran: Private Albert E. Scott (The Brookline Newsboy) 101st Infantry (KIA)

The memorial shown above is located at the Town Hall of Brookline, MA, and is dedicated to the local lad who is believed to have been the youngest American soldier killed in the First World War, Albert Scott.  Scotty, as he was known in his hometown, enlisted at age 15 and was killed in action at age 16 on 23 July 1918 during an advance by the 26th Yankee Division north of Château-Thierry.  To his mates in his unit, Company H,  he was known as the "Brookline Newsboy."

Scotty's fellow newsboys raised $2,000 for a plaque in his honor. Brookline native Theo Alice Ruggles, well known by then for her war memorials, was chosen to create the Scotty memorial, which was dedicated in 1921.  A year later his body was disinterred from France and he was buried locally.

1922 Funeral of Pvt. Albert Scott

An unidentified member of Scotty's company later described the action for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and lost his life.

Pvt. Albert Scott

Of the many deeds of bravery and self-sacrifice in this one battle, I want to mention just one. That was the heroism of Albert Scott known as "The Brookline Newsboy" He was an automatic rifleman. He had distinguished himself in various ways, since our first entrance to the trenches, but he had never had a chance to lay [into] the Boches. Mounting to the highest position, he placed his rifle, I lay down beside it and opened fire on the enemy. I do not know how many clips of ammunition he fired, but it's safe to say at least thirty of the enemies fell. My attention was not upon him wholly, so I could not witness all of his work.

After some time had elapsed, I glanced in his direction and noticed that he had ceased firing, and that his face was buried in his hands. I said, What's the matter, Scottie?" There was no response. Then I crept nearer to him and noticed that his his hands were covered with blood. I withdrew below the parapet, took him by,the feet and unbuttoned his blouse and shirt.  He had two very fatal wounds, one in his shoulder and the other to his head.  Having been facing the enemy, the bullet striking his helmet could not have glanced off, but passed through and into his brain.  In a few minutes he was dead, having paid the supreme sacrifice.