Scullion, J (James)

Scullion, J (James)

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Fusilier James Scullion was the son of Henry and Margaret Jane Scullion, of Culnady. Officially James was 18, but he is registered as being 21 with the army. He may also have held the temporary rank of Lance Corporal.

James was at the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) at Achnacarry[1] in Scotland. He was last seen on the 28th of November 1941. For reasons unknown he fell into Loch Eil[2] and drowned. It would be 7 months before James’s body was recovered on the 2nd of June 1942 in the same Loch, near Corpach.

The battalion he is recorded as being with officially was the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Battalion, which was created for young soldiers who had volunteered for service but had yet to reach the age of conscription (20). It was disbanded in 1943 when the age limit was lowered (18).

Prior to James’s death, during the 16th of April, the battalion was subject to an air raid in Northern Ireland.

During the raid, an aerodrome in Newtownards[3] was attacked with incendiary bombs and high explosives. One of the H.E. bombs hit the Headquarters of “A” company, 70th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

As a direct result of the explosions and subsequent fires, 10 were killed and 15 injured in this one incident. Two others would die of wounds before the 21st of the same month.

Date of Death: 28/11/1941 (Aged 18)

Service: Fusilier, 70th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Service Number: 6983742

Burial Location: Culnady Presbyterian Churchyard


[1] Achnacarry is in the Highlands of Scotland, north of Ben Nevis.

[2] Loch Eil is around 15 miles to the south of Achnacarry.

[3] Newtownards is a town, 10 miles east of Belfast.

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