William Frederick Charles Avery was enlisted into The Royal Army Service Corps during World War II and later volunteered for airborne forces.

He qualified as a military parachutist on Course 61B/62 which ran at RAF Ringway from 26 April to 4 May 1943. The training included 2 jumps from a balloon and 3 from an aircraft. His PJI noted this about William's performance: "Good type. Keen - has shown improvement"

After this he was posted as a reinforcement to A Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion.

He took part in operations with the 2nd Para Bn in Sicily, Italy and Arnhem, where he was taken as a Prisoner of War. He was eventually repatriated on 5 May 1945.

Records show that William left the army 28 June 1945.