William was educated at Aberdeen University, qualifying M.A. in 1906, B.Sc. in 1908, M.B. with honours in 1910, and M.D. in 1914. He gained the Fife Jamieson Medal, and the Anderson Scholar. He gained a commission as Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. (S.R.) and an officer of the 3rd East Lancashire Divisional Field Ambulance on 4th August 1914, when war was declared. He became attached to the 18th Field Ambulance and entered the war in France on 10th September 1914.