William enlisted on 14th April 1915. He was 20 years old and a motor apprentice by trade, and was living at 80 Princess Street, Rusholme, Manchester at the time. He was embodied into the 3/2nd Reserve East Lancashire Field Ambulance. He embarked at Southampton on 8th April 1916 and went to Alexandria, where he joined the 1/2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance on 26th April 1916 and was taken on strength. He left Alexandria on 3rd March 1917, with a draft from his unit and was sent to C.C. Cyclists Base Depot in Rouen on the 20th, he then rejoined his unit, in the field, on 8th April.