William was born in Rothbury in 1894, the eldest of seven children to Samuel and Jane Crosby. About ten years later the family moved to Bedlington and William and his brother worked down the pit.
He first joined the South Irish Horse as Trooper 2764, but later transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. William was killed at the Battle for Hooge Chateau and is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery. He is remembered in Ireland's Memorial Roll of Casualties of War.
He is remembered in Bedlington Station on B163.04
