William enlisted on 4th February 1915 and was embodied into the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station, Territorial Force. He was 26 years and 1 month old, and was living at 10 Upper Roman Road, Chelmsford at the time. He was appointed acting Lance Corporal on 6th April 1915. He embarked on the "Royal Edward" at Devonport on 30th July 1915, then arrived at Alexandria on the 11th August. He set sail to Gallipoli the next day. William's body was never found and was believed to have drowned on the sinking of H.M.T. "Royal Edward" on passage from Alexandria to Gallipoli.