2008 Private William Scott – Omeo Killed in Action 5 September 1915

….. the first of four brothers to die

The Scott family consisted of six girls and six boys, and they paid a high price with four of their five adult sons, William, Albert, Oliver and Herbert, dying as a consequence of WW1. William was the second youngest boy born at Omeo in 1894 to William Snr and Catherine of Livingstone Creek, Omeo. With his brothers and sisters he went to school in the district before the death of his father in 1906 and his mother the following year when he was twelve years old. Oliver and William, working as teamsters, were both living at Bruthen when, at 20 years old, William was the first of the brothers to enlist and joined the 8th Battalion on 11 January 1915 and embarked from Melbourne on the Hororata on 17 April for Egypt. He joined the 5th Reinforcements on 30 July 1915 and was killed in action on 5 September 1915. William was buried at Shrapnel Valley and is remembered on several of the local honour rolls. His identity discs were the only piece of property returned to his brother Patrick in May 1916. We have been unable to locate a photograph of Private William Scott, if you know of one, please make contact. Our group would appreciate your assistance.