William Walter Etheredge was born in Jolimont, but grew up in Traralgon, Victoria. He was the second of three sons, the youngest, Donald James Etheredge (27876), also volunteering, serving as a driver with the 13th Field Artillery Brigade, 4th Division. The eldest brother, Alfred, was also in the military, though he appears not to have served in either the 1st or 2nd World War. William Etheredge was nineteen years and seven months old when he enlisted and had had previous experience in the CMF. He listed his occupation as carpenter, but had also worked with a local chemist, Mr. O.C. Challman, at Glengarry and also studied chemistry in Melbourne.

Bill Etheredge embarked on the Scotian on 30 August, 1915, and served with the 6th Field Ambulance, first at Gallipoli, then on the Western Front in France and Belgium, where he appears to have moved between the 7th, 6th and 5th Australian Field Ambulance. At various times, he suffered illnesses which saw him hospitalised: for 76 days in late 1916-early 1917 with enteric; with scabies in February 1917; with 'sycosis' (sic) of the neck in March 1917. He survived  the Gallipoli and French campaigns, but was killed after 2 years and 4 months active service at Passchendaele, part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, on 27 September, 1917. According to family sources, he was returning from the dreesing station at Clapham Junction, when he and three companions were hit by a high explosive shell. Three, including Bill Etheredge, died on the spot, and one the next day. He was then 22 years old. This campaign, lasting from 21/7/1917 - 6/11/1917 resulted in nearly half a million casualties on both sides. The Australian forces had 76,836 casualties. William Etheredge is buried at the Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Grave 11.B.9. His name is also listed in the Australian War Memorial, Panel 182 in the Commemorative Area.

In his last letter to his parents, dated 4 August, he had met up with his brother Don and 'had been having a really good time in the rest camp behind the lines. They had been so well fed that that they were fit for the strenuous times in front of them' reported the Gippsland Farmers Journal of 23/10/1917.