William Lewis Booth married Harriet Nunn in 1887 and they began their married life together in Dallinghoo. At that time, William worked as a blacksmith, a trade that had been in his family for several generations. They had five children: Lewis William, Gladys Rosa, Olive Harriet, Frank Clifford and Alec Cecil. By 1891, the family had moved to Melton and were living on The Street in the blacksmiths near Spink’s Saddlery. Sometime before 1908, William became the landlord of the Horse and Groom, which then became the family home. He continued to run his blacksmith’s business at the same time.
Frank Clifford Booth and Alec Cecil both served during the war, as did their brother-in-law, Frederick Charles Sutton. Their elder brother, Lewis, had emigrated to Canada in 1912 and, although he was old enough to enlist, there are no records available to confirm his participation.