William Scotton enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment during July 1914, before the outbreak of World War One in August 1914.
At the end of December 1914, Scotton was convicted of going absent. Despite this, on 23 January 1915, he repeated the offence. While he was absent, his unit had seen service in the front line. Scotton returned to his unit a day after they had returned from their front line service. He was tried and found guilty of desertion.
Private William Scotton was executed by firing squad, at Vierstraat, on 3 February 1915. The firing squad was made up of a NCO and seven men from his own unit. The rest of the unit were ordered to witness the event.
Private William Scotton, aged 19 years, has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Panels 49 and 51.
William Scotton’s Brother, Albert, was also killed during World War One.
Albert Scotton was born and resided at Walton (Liverpool) and enlisted into the Liverpool Regiment at Bootle (Liverpool). 265397 Private Albert Scotton was killed on 18 September 1916 in the Somme area and has no known grave. Consequently, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C.