12 replies to this topic

[ChrisD]

Does anyone have any information on Aubrey Esson Scott, who raced Bugattis back in the 1930s?

 

I have found that he was the son of David Esson Scott, and that he married the Hon. Rosemary Sylvia Cary, daughter of Lucius Plantagenet Cary, 13th Viscount Falkland, in 1937. 

 

Motor Sport archives have have been a good source of his racing career and his cars. 

 

Given that he could afford his own Bugattis, and to race them extensively, and that he married into the nobility, I guess that he came from a pretty well-to-do background.  In spite of that I haven’t been able to find anything about where or when he was born, what he did (if anything) for a living, or when he died (he was still going strong in 1980 when interviewed by Bill Boddy for Motor Sport). 

 

As ever any information would be gratefully received.

 

Chris

[Vitesse2]

When he attended Prince Chula's memorial service in 1964, he was described as Major Esson Scott. London Gazette (May 2 1944, p1988) shows he was discharged from the RASC on May 1st 1944 due to ill health - War Substantive Captain, granted honorary rank of Major.

 

That's the only reference I can find in the Gazette, which is rather odd!

 

Reports in The Times from the 1930s show that he also raced punts - yes, really! - and was Amateur Punting Champion of the Thames in 1934. Second in 1936.

[ensign14]

That last bit of info presupposes there were professional punting championships too.

[Geoff E]

Aubrey Esson-Scott appears in the 1939 register as a Turkey Farmer, date of birth 16 Feb 1904.

1911 census shows that he was born in Surbiton, son of David Scott, a "Merchant (Dry goods). They were living in Walton on Thames.

He died 1986 in Brighton registration district.

[Vitesse2]

Geoff beat me to some of this!

 

He's on the 1911 census, age 7, so born about 1904 - registered Kingston first quarter of that year. Born Surbiton, according to the census. Baptised at St Matthew's, Surbiton, March 13th 1904. Son of David and Caroline Mary Scott. Father a 'merchant (dry goods)'. Home address Ashley Croft, Ashley Park Road, Walton On Thames.

 

Ancestry has a 1929 travel record for him arriving at Southampton from New York on the Berengaria - occupation coachbuilder. Address at the time - Craigmyle, Sunningdale, Berks.

 

In 1950 there's a small ad in The Times - presumably from him - seeking a 12 bore shotgun 'Holland and Holland or other first-class make' - address simply 'Esson Scott, Dunmow, Essex'. Bit of a drastic way of disposing of turkeys!

 

Probate records show he died March 16th 1986 - address R2, Marine Gate, Marine Drive, Brighton (seems to be a retirement complex).

 

The hyphen sometimes seen when his name is printed seems to be incorrect, although he may have inserted it himself. Esson is shown as his second Christian name on the census.

[Vitesse2]

That last bit of info presupposes there were professional punting championships too.

Well, if you're doing nothing on August 6th ...

 

http://www.punting.o...k/championships

[Geoff E]

His wife had previously married a John De Parigault Gurney Mayhew in 1928. (one son)

Edited by Geoff E, 11 May 2017 - 19:49.

[GazChed]

A lady by the name of Ella Freire runs a company producing limited edition screenprints by the name of Freire Printz (www.freireprintz.co.uk) which appears to specialise in classic cars . In a preview of a visit to Wilton Classic Car Show she mentions that Aubrey Esson Scott is her step grandfather .

[Vitesse2]

A Daily Mail report of the 1949 Punting Championship mentions that 'Essex farmer' AES had recently taken up punting again, having previously had his shoulder broken by a tractor. Turns out there was a professional championship!

 

Also found a mention of his wife winning a food mixer in a 1964 Daily Mail competition - address Cranbrook, Kent.

[Michael Ferner]

Gee, I hope I'll never be the subject of a search by Mr. Armstrong, or he'll find out I once won a suitcase... I still have it, though.

[Bloggsworth]

Gee, I hope I'll never be the subject of a search by Mr. Armstrong, or he'll find out I once won a suitcase... I still have it, though.

Never let him get your fingerprints...

[Vitesse2]

The return from New York was after a trip to San Francisco to visit a friend. Travelled out on Ile de France. Unfortunately the page is torn and the friend's name is missing. AES again described as a coachbuilder.

 

Phone book records have him at 17 Council Cottages, Stoughton, W Sussex in 1924. Then nothing until he's at 27 Eaton Mews North, London SW1 from 1934-36. Then at both Coombe Manor, Wadhurst and 10 Sumner Place, London SW7 in 1938. Coombe Manor only in 1939. Nothing 1940-45. Then as Major Esson-Scott, a 'horticulturist' at Elmbridge Mill, Little Easton, Great Dunmow between 1946 and 1953. From 1954 to 1961 an 'agriculturist' at Hill Hall, Great Bardfield. From 1963 to 1967 at Apple Tree Cottage, The Common, Cranbrook, Kent. Thereafter presumably ex-directory.

 

There is another travel record - Foynes to Baltimore, Maryland, May 30th 1944 on BOAC G-AGCA 'Berwick', a Boeing 314 Clipper. Described as a 'government official' in transit to RCAF Trenton, Ontario. Home address 45 [illegible], Malmesbury, Wiltshire. However, this seems to be a coincidence with another 1904-born Aubrey Scott - birthplace of this traveller is given as Southsea and he says he'd never been to the USA before.

 

[ChrisD]

Many thanks for all the responses.  It always amazes me how much knowledge people have!!