Lest We Forget

William “Bill” Eugene Scott was born April 7, 1924, in Stratford, Perth County, Ontario, to parents Milton and Jessie Scott. He was one of eight children, with brothers Walter and Fred Scott, and sisters Jessie (Scott) Carlisle, Claire (Scott) Leistner, Mary (Scott) Illman, Bette (Scott) Traschel, and Nancy (Scott) MacLeod. Bill and his family belonged to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Stratford. William worked as a gas station attendant, then a rubber worker, and then as a truck driver for National Groceries before the start of WWII.

On March 17, 1943, at 19 years old, Bill enlisted in the Canadian Army (Active) in London, Ontario, as a Rifleman, being posted the No. 1 District Depot (AF) in London before being called up.

On November 16, 1943, Bill was tested and qualified to be a Driver, A.C., Wheeled and Track, Class 111.  On February 8, 1944, he was tested and qualified to be a Driver’s Mechanic, Class “C” on both track and wheeled vehicles. He spent most of his service as a driver mechanic in the Canadian Infantry Corps.

In total, he served in Canada for 385 days, the U.K. for 104 days and Northwest Europe for 257 days. He returned to Canada on December 7, 1945, and was discharged upon demobilization on March 16, 1946.  For his service, Bill was awarded the 1939-1943 Star, the France and Germany Star, and a C.V.S.M. and Clasp.

He returned home to civil life in Stratford, and, on June 22, 1948, he married Mildred Madeline Eckstein. They moved to Beamsville near Grimbsy within the Regional Municipality of Niagara, where his first daughter, Bonnie, was born. They returned to Stratford shortly after, where they had four more children – Bill, Anne, Laura and Howard – and spent the rest of their lives.

He became a certified mechanic and worked in that role until the time of his death. Whenever he had time, he enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing. He passed on August 15, 1977, in Stratford, Perth County.

Medals: 1939-1943 Star, the France and Germany Star, and a C.V.S.M. and Clasp.