William was born in 1785 in Derby and would go on to volunteer for unlimited service in the 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot on the 3rd of September 1807, joining from the Derbyshire Militia, aged 22. He saw extensive action in the Peninsular War of 1808-14, being involved in action against the French Army across all six years of the war.  

It is recorded that William was wounded during action at Orthes, and would go on to be discharged on the 5th of December 1814, after 7 years with the regiment. He received his pension on the 28th of February 1815, aged 32 years.  

A letter in the regimental archives from the Royal Hospital Chelsea dated the 5th of May 1908 confirms, with the hospital records, he was a pensioner and that he attended the funeral of the Duke of Wellington in 1852.