William was born 20th November 1838 in Dublin, Ireland. He enlisted with the 95th (Derbyshire)  Regiment on the  29th April 1855 aged 17. William joined the Regiment in camp near Sebastopol in January 1856.  

He served with the 95th in Crimea and then in India during the Indian Mutiny 1857-58.  

He retired in 1861 having served 6 years.