William was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1898 to Colin McKellar Todd and Catherine Blinchko. William had a brother, Colin, and a cousin, Colin, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

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William was a labourer and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF on the 7^th of July 1915, aged 18 - he had previously served in the Senior Cadets. He embarked aboard the HMAT A73 Commonwealth, with the 7^th Reinforcements, 24^th Battalion in late November, disembarking in Egypt some time later.

In February 1916 William transferred to the 8^th Battalion and then to the 1^st Pioneer Battalion just before embarking from Alexandria, Egypt in late March, disembarking at Marseilles, France a few days later. He was granted two weeks leave in France in January 1917. In August William was detached for duty with the 2^nd Army School of Instruction for six weeks. He was granted a further two weeks leave in England in January 1918 before being detached for duty with the Royal Engineers Base Depot, as a batman, in March, rejoining his unit in May. William returned to England in January 1919 and embarked from Southampton aboard the City of Poona in March, returning to Australia in May and was discharged from the AIF in July.

William died in 1974, aged 75.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour.