William served in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers from 1874 - 1881. He then joined the R.A.M.C., and served until 1903. On 12th January 1916, William re-enlisted into the R.A.M.C., he was 40 years old and living at 16 Lismore Street, Belfast at the time. He was admitted into the Central Military Hospital in Belfast on 12th June 1918 but died of pneumonia 3 days later. William was widowed but left 2 children.