William enlisted on 15th February 1904. He was 18 years old, and was a tram conductor by trade. He entered the war in France on 19th August 1914 with the 2nd Field Ambulance. On 5th October 1914 he posted to serve with No 7 Ambulance Train. After serving 14 days Field Punishment No 1 from 26th December 1914, he was posted to serve with No 13 Stationary Hospital. He was admitted into hospital on 10th January 1915 due to being effected by a shell explosion. He was subsequently evacuated back to the UK. In the UK, on 29th May 1915, he joined the Hospital Ship �Newhaven� for duty, but was shortly after admitted into 3rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford, his diagnosis described as �delusional insanity� . He was discharged �no longer physically fit for war service� by the 3rd Southern General Hospital on 27th October 1915.