William qualified M.B. Ch.B. at Glasgow in 1914. He joined the Special Reserve, RAMC and was commissioned Lieutenant on probation from 8th August 1914 (LG 8/9/1914) becoming Lieutenant on the 19th September 1914 (November 1918 Army List). On the 1st April 1915 he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. (LG 26/7/1917). William Fotheringham is listed on a nominal roll for Officers, Warrant Officers, and non-commissioned Officers who served with the 5th London Field Ambulance. He was also the third RMO to serve with the 1/19th London Regiment, serving from c. late 1916 early 1917 and again in 1918, which appears to have been a period when RMO Capt. Pearson may have been away sick or wounded. He is shown in 1/19th War Diary as being awarded the Military Cross on 20 July 1917 and Bar to the Military Cross on 4 Jan 1918. (Special thanks to Charles Fair). The Citation for William’s MC reads: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Finding no suitable position for an aid post in the captured lines, he established one in an open trench, where he attended to the wounded for four days and nights under constant shell and gas shell attack. His courage and devotion set a fine example to all those working under him.’ The Citation for his Bar to MC reads: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attended to the wounded in an exposed position under heavy hostile gas shell fire. Though suffering badly from gas he continued at work with the greatest courage and determination until he was blinded by gas.’ He was also Mentioned in Despatches twice. William went on to serve in Malta from 1919-22 and then Constantinople from 1922-23. He retired receiving a gratuity on 16th June 1923.