William was born on Dodds Lane, Maghull, but moved to Liscard, Wirral, from where he enlisted as a ‘regular’ on July 21st, 1913, into the 10th Battallion, (Liverpool Scottish), King’s (Liverpool Regiment). He crossed to France in November 1914. William survived three and a half years of service abroad. He was killed in action in the spring of 1918. Private Fernihough has no known grave, and his name is engraved on the Loos Memorial to the Missing at Dud Corner cemetery, France.