William enlisted on 8th September 1914. He was 19 years and 4 months old and was a waiter by trade. He joined at Haywards Heath the same day. William embarked at Southampton on 9th July 1915, then disembarking at Havre the next day, entered the war in France on 10th July 1915. He was the son of William George and Esther Sampson of 8 George Street Gardens, Brighton, Sussex.