William Ernest Roff was born in Ballarat and was a Plumber by trade when he enlisted in the 1st Pioneer Battalion, 12th Reinforcement on 23 February 1917 at the age of 27. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 21 June 1917. In January 1918 he attended the 17th Rifle and Lewis Gun Course at the School of Musketry at Tidworth where he was assessed as æ1st class'. In April he crossed over to France where he joined the 1st Pioneer Battalion and safely served through the last seven months of the war. Illness delayed his return to Australia and he did not reach Melbourne and disembark from the Port Sydney until November 12th 1919, a year and a day after the signing of the Armistice.
Tree No. 2928