William was born in Tulse Hill on June 10th 1895, the second child of John Claridge, a linen company manager, and his wife Anne. After he had left Dulwich he remained a keen member of the Old Alleynians, regularly turning out for the team.
Once hostilities commenced William joined up, becoming a member of the London Rifle Brigade and subsequently going over to France on 8th November; during the subsequent winter he spent a significant amount of time in the front line trenches. On May 13th 1915 he was fighting at the second battle of Ypres when he passed away, a month short of his 20th birthday.