Wigan-born William lived with his wife Martha and their four children, at 14, Cherry Street, Newton Common, though CWGC gives Martha’s address after the War as 348, Crow Lane West. Prior to joining the Army in November 1914, he worked in the yard at the Viaduct Works.

William was reported missing in September 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, otherwise known as Passchendaele, but was only confirmed as having been killed in July 1918. Chris McCarthy in his book ‘Passchendaele: The Day-By-Day Account’ describes the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge which took place on 20th September and involved many divisions. However, it appears that the 30th Division, of which the 19th King’s were a part, were not involved.

William’s name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial, one of nearly 35,000 who died in the Ypres Salient between 15th August 1917 and the Armistice and who have no known grave.