William enlisted on 10th February 1915 and was embodied into the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station, Territorial Force. He was 25 years old at the time. 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. He was the son of Sarah Rule of 33 City Road, Cambridge, and the late George Rule.