William first saw combat with 2nd Battalion during the Tirah Campaign of 1897-98. He would be awarded the Indian General Service Medal with clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Tirah 1897-98.  

William became a Quartermaster Sergeant in 1909 and was transferred to the 9th Battalion, when it was formed at Derby in August 1914, and served as a Lieutenant Quartermaster. He saw action in France and Gallipoli. In August 1917 he was made an Honorary Captain. 

 Over the course of the Great War, he would serve with the 4th Battalion, 9th Battalion, 17th Battalion and the 16th Battalion. Following the end of war William continued his service with the Army. He was appointed to be Commandant of a Prisoner of War Camp (POW) camp for German POWs in Abbeville, France, in 1919.  

William retired on the 18th of February 1921.