William was born at Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire in 1791 and enlisted into the Regiment on the 4th April 1809 at the aged 18 years. He served in the Peninsula War of 1808-14 and was present at the battle of Salamanca and the sieges of Ciadad Rodrigo and Badajoz.  

Following the end of the Peninsula War, William went on to serve in the East Indies from the 7th March 1828 to the 24th August 1833.  

William was discharged from the Army at Chatham on the 12th January 1836, having served for 25 years. It is recorded that he served with good character and his discharge was in relation to him being unfit for further military service as his constitution had been impaired due to his long service.  

He became a pensioner of Chelsea in 1836, when aged 45 years. He returned to Gunthorpe to live.