William enlisted into the Medical Staff Corps on 13th March 1893. He was 18 years old, and was a Book Binder by trade. He was posted to serve in Malta from 8th February 1895 to 11th November 1897, then to Egypt from 13th July to 14th December 1898, and saw active service in South Africa from 28th October 1899 to 23rd September 1902. Having been posted several times to Army Reserve but reenlisting, he was mobilized on 5th August 1914 for war service and posted to serve with the 2nd Field Ambulance. He entered the war in France on 19th August 1914. On 12th January 1915 he returned to his unit having been in hospital. He returned to the UK on 1st June 1915, where he served until 23rd July 1917. During this time, on 12th January 1917, he was was re-engaged into the Army due to his service time expiring as a result of the age limit. He continued to serve until the end of the war. He was the husband of Alice King.