Born in Ballarat, Grenville and a Carpenter by trade, William James Caddy was 21 years and single when enlisted on the 16th of March 1915 in the13th Light Horse Regiment, Headquarters and Machine Gun Section, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Corporal, Number 587. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board A34 'Persic' on the 28th of May 1915. Wounded in action, France on the 21st of August 1916 and discharged from the 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill. On the 9th of September 1916 Embarked per HS 'Kanowna' from Southampton for return to Australia for discharge - Shell Shock, functional Paralegia; and disembarked Melbourne on the 28th of October 1916 and discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 21st of March 1917. Tree No. 626