William enlisted on 4th September 1913 into the Scottish Rifles. He was 22 years and 5 months old, and was a Labourer by trade. He transferred to the R.A.M.C. four days later, on the 8th September. He entered the war in France on 24th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column. On 16th December 1917 he was posted to serve with the 12th Field Ambulance. He was admitted into his unit on 20th April 1918 suffering with knee bursitis. He was then evacuated back to No 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and No 26 General Hospital, who evacuated him back to England on 26th April. He was discharged "surplus to Military requirement (having suffered impairment since entry into the Service" on 26th April 1919 - the diagnosis was D.A.H. ( disease of the heart). He was the son of William and Catherine Webb of Belfast.