Edgar entered the war in France on 8th July 1915. He was serving with No 3 Ambulance Flotilla, but was on temporary duty with No 58 General Hospital when on the night of 30th September/1st October 1917, during a hostile air-raid, three bombs were dropped in the camp of No 58 General Hospital at 10.40 p.m. Two bombs landed on marquees for patients and one in the nurses compound, which struck a bell tent. One of the marquees was unoccupied, along with the bell tent in the nurses compound. The other marquee however was occupied by patients. The casualties of the air-raid were 3 nurses killed and 3 nurses wounded (one dangerously), and 16 O/Rs killed and 60 wounded. Some succumbed to their wounds during the following days. Those that were killed in action were buried at 4.00 p.m. the following day. William was one of them. He was the son of John and Mary Archdale of 2 Poplar Villas, Halfpenny Lane, Pontefract.