William previously served in the Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Garrison Regiment, and had seen active service in the South African War. He enlisted into the R.A.M.C. on 4th June 1915. He was 39 years old, a male nurse by trade and living at 6 Canlon Street, Belfast at the time. William entered the war in France on 28th August 1915 and was near Arras when he began having severe attacks of coughing every morning. He returned to England and was posted to 19 Coy but was admitted into the Edinburgh War Hospital, Bangour on 26th November 1915, where he stayed until 22nd February 1916 suffering from chronic bronchitis. He was subsequently discharged "No longer physically fit for war service' on 4th october 1916. William was the husband of Annie Bolton of 6 Conlon Street, Belfast.