Born Hull, on 01/01/1898. Son of William Lawrence Britton (1874-1940) and Jane Elizabeth Iveson (1875-1959). The family emigrated to British Columbia, Vancouver, on 17/12/1906. They lived at 275, 18th Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia (CWGC address).

When William Henry Britton was born on January 1, 1898, in Hull, Yorkshire, England, his father, William, was 23 and his mother, Jane, was 22. He immigrated with his family to Vancouver, Canada at age 8 with his parents and younger sister. He had two brothers and two sisters. he worked as a Clerk. Described as 5 foot, 2 inches tall, 34-36 inch chest, 137 lbs weight, blue eyes, brown hair, Presbyterian religion.

He joined the military on his 18th birthday, 01/01/1916, Served in WWI with the 7th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment). He was wounded in France during the Battle of Passenchaele (the Third Battle of Ypres), on 09/04/1917. Returned to his unit in France, on 09/10/1917. He died on November 10, 1917, after the Germans bombed the ambulance that was carrying him to a military hospital. Aged 19. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gare) Memorial, Belgium.