William Scotter
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General Sir William Norman Roy Scotter, GCB, OBE, MC (1922 - February 5, 1981) was Commander-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, running the military government of the British zone of occupied Germany, from September 1978 until October 1980.
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[edit] Early Years
William Scotter was born in Carlisle in 1922 the son of Claude and Hilda Scotter and was educated at St Bees School, Cumberland. In June of 1941 He joined and served in ranks of the Scots Guards. In 1942 attained the rank of Lance Corporal after attending the Royal Military Academy, Dehra Dun, India, and was commissioned into 7 Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. He served with the Gurkha Rifles in India from 1943 until 1944, first as temporary Captain, then as lieutenant. Then latter in Burma from 1944 until 1945 when he was wounded in action. It was for his actions in Burma that he was awarded the MC.
[edit] England
Having returned to England, he was transferred from the Indian Army to the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment in 1946, Initially as a Regular Officer. after service in Malaya with the 1st Battalion, 2 Gurkha Rifles, from 1948 to 1951 and graduating from Staff College, Camberley, Surrey. He worked his way through the ranks over the next few years, and by July 1967 he was promoted to Brigadier. In 1965 was awarded the OBE, and in 1970 he was promoted to Major General and appointed Chief of Staff Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces. In 1971 he was appointed Colonel of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment.
By 1975 William Scotter was appointed as Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (GCB), and promoted to Vice Chief of the General Staff at the Ministry of Defense Whitehall and the Rank of Lieutenant General.
In 1976 he became Colonel Commandant of the Army Physical Training Corps Aldershot. Then from September 1978 was promoted in full, to General, as Commander-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, running the military government of the British zone of occupied Germany, from September 1978. A role he held until October 1980 when the role was handed to Gen. Sir James Michael Gow, KCB, ADC.
[edit] Death
He was appointed to become Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) in April 1981 . But sadly he died in February 1981 before he had the opportunity to take up this appointment. He was buried at Aldershot Military Cemetery with full military honors.
[edit] Legacy
General Bill, as he was affectionally known, was, and probably will always be one of the most senior British soldiers. Having played an important role in shaping the face post War military Europe and developing cold war Nuclear weapons strategy.
[edit] Memorials
- A plaque to his memory is displayed in the Kings Own Border Regiment Chapel in Carlisle Cathedral
- His uniform and medals are displayed in the Kings Own Border Museum in Carlisle Castle.
