William enlisted on 6th April 1908. He was 21 years and 8 months old; was a Plumber by trade; and was living in Devon at the time. After serving his time he transferred to Army Reserve on 5th April 1911, but was mobilised on 5th August 1914, due to the outbreak of war. He entered the war in France on 16th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 15th Hussars. On 26th June 1916 he was attached to 1st M.G. Squadron, 1st Cavalry Brigade, but returned to the 1st Cavalry Field Ambulance on 5th October 1917. On 28th March 1918, personnel from the 1st Cavalry Field Ambulance established an Aid Post in Hamel. Towards the evening the enemy opened an intensive bombardment on Hamel, causing practically the whole of the personnel to become casualties. Pte Curry R C was killed. Acting Corporal�s Sweeny E and Tucker E, along with Ptes Spence E, Black A, and Addie J were wounded and evacuated back. William was also wounded, with a gun shot wound (shell) to his right shoulder, and evacuated back via No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital the same day, then onto 22 General Hospital on 30th March, and to England on the Hospital Ship "Scotia' on 3rd April 1918. On 13th November 1918, after he had recovered, he was sent to North Russia with the 154th Field Ambulance. He gained promoted to acting Lance Corporal, with pay, on 2nd April 1919. On 10th August 1919, he was withdrawn from the North Russian Expeditionary Force and sent back to the UK. He was discharged from the army on 5th April 1920. His address in 1920 was 15 Flora Street, Plymouth.