Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Stott, a watch maker, born 7th December 1856 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Stott (nee Grundy, married in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born in the 3rd quarter of 1857 in Ashby de la Zouch. William Frederick Stott, a schoolboy, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in Ashby de la Zouch, his siblings were, John Elverstone, a schoolboy, born on the 4th February 1883 and George Alfred, born on the 3rd July 1889, both siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch, also residing with the family were, William’s two maternal Uncles, Richard Grundy, a baker, born 1869 and William Grundy, a baker, born 1875, both Uncles were born in Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch. In March 1901 William was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 7, Bath Street, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his father, a watch maker, his mother and siblings, John, an apprentice watch maker and George, a schoolboy. In April 1911 William was employed as a hairdresser and was residing in the family home at 7, Bath Street, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his father, a watch jobber, his mother, a confectioner and siblings, John, a watch jobber and George, a grazier.
William enlisted into the Regular Army on the 29th February 1916 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 25664. He gave his age as 29 years and 300 days, his marital status as unmarried, and his trade or calling as hairdresser. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height.
He gave his next of kin as father, William Stott of 7, Bath Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Attested. Private. 29/2/16.
To Army Reserve. Private. 29/2/16.
Mobilized. Pte. 29/2/16.
Posted Depot. Private. 29/2/16.
Posted 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Private. 3/3/16.
Partington. 31/7/16. Overstaying his pass from Tattoo until 7.10pm on the 1/8/16. 5 days C.B. & 2 days pay.
Embarked Folkestone 10/8/16.
Disembarked and joined 12th Infantry Brigade 11/8/16.
Posted 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Private. 16/8/16.
Posted 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Private. 27/8/16.
Joined 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Private. In the Field 29/8/16.
In the Field. 14/11/16. Dirty on Parade. 3 days C.B.
In the Field. 5/1/17. Unshaven on Parade. 5 days C.B.
In the Field. 29/5/17. Late of Parade. 3 days C.B.
Home Service 29/2/16 to 10/8/16.
British Expeditionary Force, France 11/8/16 to 24/12/17.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twelve pages, these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 24 Dec-17 FRONT LINE, X.20.c. – 26.a. 5.30am. 11 killed and 21 wounded (gassed) by a gas shell (5.9) on a cellar.