Born at Eythorne, Kent, where his father had a large practice up to 1804, when he removed to Wingham, in the same county. William was the eldest son, and was early sent to St Bartholomew's Hospital under Abernethy. He was appointed at the age of 21 on the medical staff of the Army serving in Sicily and Spain, and after four years was invalided home and ordered to join the Rifle Brigade at Shorncliffe (1814). At the close of the year he left the Army and entered upon general practice at Dover, a seaside place chosen by him as suitable to his health. In the course of this career he became personally and professionally endeared to half a century's succession of inhabitants, visitors, and neighbouring families. He was unfailingly kind and sympathetic to all classes. Devoted to his profession, a man of great mental and untiring physical powers, he gained a position of eminence which was recognized by his election as honorary FRCS. He retired from practice owing to heart disease, and died at 2 Guilford Lawn, Dover, on March 5th, 1866. A small photograph of him in old age is in the College Collection. His appointments, etc., as stated in Johnston's *RAMC Roll* (No 3254) were; Surgeon's Mate on the Hospital Staff, not attached to a Regiment on active service, October 25th, 1810; Assistant Surgeon to the 95th Foot, June 2nd, 1814; retired on half pay, September 15th, 1814; and commuted half pay on November 12th, 1830.