William enlisted into the R.A.M.C. (T.F.) on 6th August 1914, and was embodied into the 3rd Southern General Hospital. He was 40 years old and a Painter by trade. He served in the UK until 3rd September 1915, when he went to the Balkans, and on the 13th joined the 41st Field Ambulance as a reinforcement at Gallipoli. He became sick with dysentery at Sulva Bay on the 25th and was invalided home to the UK on the 29th from Alexandria. William must have returned to active service as he had several stays in hospital in Malta suffering with colitis from 11th April 1916 to 5th August 1916, when he was invalided to the UK again. He appeared before a Medical Board and was found fit for light duty - Class (B) On 20th March 1917 he was discharged from the 3rd Southern General Hospital as being ‘No longer physically fit for war service’ due to chronic bronchitis. He served in the R.A.M.C. as a general duty orderly.