After an apprenticeship at the Ransomes & Rapier engineering firm in Ipswich, took on the role of (unpaid) Assistant Engineer for the railway contractor Wilkinson & Jarvis, then constructing the Yarmouth & North Norfolk Railway. So successful was he that he was offered a permanent post as Engineer. upon the formation of the Eastern & Midlands Railway (fore runner to the M&GN), William was made Engineer for the line – at the ripe old age of 26! Appointment to the dual role of Locomotive Superintendent followed 2 years later. He was traffic manager from 1919 till his retirement in 1924.