The 16-year-old, a Ludlow-born apprentice to Mr George Blackwell the well-known trainer, of Lagrange House, Newmarket, met with a fatal accident on Sunday 10 December 1905, whilst riding one of Sir James Miller’s yearlings, an unnamed filly by Chaleureux - Jodel, along the road adjoining Phantom House. The horse became restive and reared, throwing William onto the hard surface, smashing his skull. At an inquest held the next morning and led by Mr R. Holt Wilson, Coroner for the Liberty of Bury St Edmunds, head lad James Brewer and stable lads Albert Griffths and Cuthbert Taylor, gave evidence. They stated that some twenty-five horses were sent out from Lagrange House for exercise before 8 o’clock on Sunday morning. William was riding a filly which was not especially troublesome. The string had reached the end of the road and was turning when the filly reared and over-balanced. Its rider was hurled onto the road, face upwards, and the filly fell across his face and neck. She got up immediately but William did not move. He was bleeding from the nose, mouth and ears and death was apparently instantaneous. Dr Crompton, who saw the body an hour after the accident, gave evidence the cause of death was a fracture at the base of the skull. A verdict of ‘Accidental death’ was returned.