William was the son of William Henry and Ada Mary Jeffery. He was born in Guildford, and his parents were living at 10 Farnham Road when he was baptised in St Nicholas Church Guildford on 16 September 1906. Electoral registers record that his family lived in Heather Cottages in Seale 1919-1931.

He was admitted to Ash Walsh School 14 April 1913 and his address was given as Ash Street. His date of birth was given as 5 August 1906 and he had formerly attended Tongham School.

William married Ivy May Gower of South Farnborough 16 November 1929 at St Lawrence’s Church Seale; and the electoral register records them living in Fir Tree Cottages in Seale in 1931.

The Commonwealth war Graves Commission records that Ivy May Jeffery was from Ash.