William was born in Melton Hamlet, Ufford in 1881. In 1911 he was living in Sproughton, Suffolk working as a landscape gardener. William was conscripted into the army and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery where he held the rank of Driver / Gunner. An article in the Woodbridge Reporter dated 24th October 1918 reads:

“Mr and Mrs D Leggett, 2, Station Road, have been notified that their son Driver William David Leggett, was wounded on 9th October in his left thigh, arm and face and is currently in hospital in Aberdeen. Mr and Mrs Leggett have lost three sons during this war and in addition to this one now wounded have another son in the war.”

William received the British War and Victory Medals for his war service.