William studied medicine at Owens College, Manchester and qualified in 1899. On 21st May 1903, he was the author of a paper published by the British Medical Journal, 'New Tongue Forceps and an Eye Speculum'. which featured drawings and instructions on how to use two new surgical appliances he had devised. The instruments were made for Thompson by Messrs. Down Brothers. After holding a number of resident posts, he moved to Hull in 1907 and became a General Practitioner in the city, where he soon became well known as a sympathetic and careful doctor, who always took a great interest in his cases. As a qualified and highly competent Obstetrician, he also did a considerable amount of maternity work and was also a visiting lecturer at several teaching hospitals. On 10th September 1914, William was commissioned as a Major into the R.A.M.C. [T.F.] He entered the war in April 1915 with 1/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance. He was promoted to acting Lieutenant Colonel on several occasions when he took over the command of different field ambulance units, reverting back to Major again on completion of his task. He later went on to command the 2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, ending the war as an acting Lieutenant Colonel. He was mentioned in Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig's dispatch of 16 March 1919 "For gallant and distinguished services in the field". He was also honoured by being awarded the Medialle d'Honnour des Epidemies "En Argent" by the French Ministry of War, with the medal named and dated 1919. After the war he remained a Territorial officer, and on 19 March 1921 (LG) he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and placed in command of 3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance. He also went on to become chairman of the Old Comrades Association of the Northumbrian Field Ambulance. In his civilian life, he returned to his general practice and was as busy as ever. He took a keen interest in the Jubilee Nursing Association and was a member of the committee for a number of years. He also did a great deal of work for the Hull Jubilee Aid in Sickness Fund, and also became an honorary surgeon and lecturer at several teaching hospitals throughout the country, with a particular focus and interest in nursing. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration on the 8 April 1924 (LG), and on 1st September 1930 (LG) was promoted to Colonel and made A.D.M.S. (Assistant Director of Medical Services) for the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, taking over command from Col. J.M. Gower D.S.O. T.D., who was retiring. In 1935 he was awarded the King George V Jubilee Medal, and is confirmed on the roll as Colonel (T.A.). William retired from the army on 1st September 1935 (London Gazette), on completion of his tenure as A.D.M.S., he retained his rank of colonel with permission to wear the prescribed uniform. William was also for a number of years the medical officer for Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby Club, and when he retired he was made an honorary member of the club. He remained a GP well into old age and was always a very active member of the British Medical Association. His obituary was published in the British Medical Journal on 16 September 1961. [Information researched and kindly provided by Michael W Cook]