William James Kempton was born around 1866 in the Ardtrea area. He enlisted in October 1888, aged 23. He served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in India and took part in the South African War in October 1899. He returned home in August 1900 after a bout of jaundice and served a further year until October 1901. He enlisted again on 6th April 1915 when he was 44 years old. Prior to enlisting, he was working as a blacksmith in Coagh. Private Kempton was discharged in January 1918, because he was no longer physically fit for service. He had served in the army for a total of 15 years.