William Tucker was born in 1895, at Gloucester, in Gloucestershire, the second of four known children to William Henry Tucker, variously a waterman, barge steerer and dock labourer, and Mary Jane Tucker (formerly Meadows). He was not baptised until 18 December, 1898, together with his younger brother, at St. Nicholas' Church, in Gloucester, when the family lived at 4 Harris Court, Lower Westgate Street, in Gloucester. He had two brothers and one sister: Ralph Thomas Henry (1891); Ernest Frederick (1898) and Mary Jane (1901). [Brother Ralph was to serve as a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery.]

The family is shown on two census returns in 1901: at their home at 4 Harris Court in Gloucester; and also at the Canal Dock, in Gas Street, Birmingham, the father being a steerer of a barge. The family was still living at Harris Court in 1911, by which time, young William was employed as a coach and wagon builder's painter. He was unmarried.

William Tucker's service record had not survived, but from his service number it can be calculated that he enlisted in August/September, 1914. He enlisted at Gloucester, in the Gloucestershire Regiment, as a Private, no. 10811, and was posted to the 7th (Service) Battalion, and served in 'C' Company.

The 7th (Service) Battalion was formed at Horfield Barracks, in Bristol on 19 August, 1914, as part of the 39th Brigade in the 13th Division, and went to Tidworth. It moved to billets at Basingstoke in January, 1915, and to Blackdown the following month. On 19 June, 1915, it embarked at Avonmouth bound for Gallipoli.

Private William Tucker landed with the 7th Battalion, at Y Beach, at Capes Helles on the Gallipoli peninsula, on 11 July, 1915. After four days in the beach area it marched to Geoghan Bluff and went into brigade reserve, and then went into the line at Gully Ravine during the afternoon of 18 July, relieving the 9th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. The battalion suffered a trickle of men wounded from long-range stray bullets or from snipers.

The routine developed whereby the 9th Worcester's relieved the Gloucester's, who went back to Geoghan Bluff, and vice versa, until 29 July, when the battalion returned to Mudros.

The battalion was at Lemnos until 3 August, when it embarked for Anzac Cove, on Gallipoli, and moved to Rest Gully.

On 6 August it moved to Aghyl Dere, and the next day reinforced the New Zealand Wellington Battalion at Rhododendron Spur, during which the battalion suffered 1 officer killed and 1 wounded, and 3 other ranks killed and 24 wounded.

On 8 August, 1915, the battalion received orders to stand to arms at 3.00 am, and form the left of an attacking line, with the Wellington Battalion on the right. 'B' and 'D' Companies formed the first line, with 'A' and 'C; Companies behind.

The advance started at 4.15 am, before 'D' Company was in position, and 'C' Company still moving up the mule track. Shortly after starting the two left hand platoons were enfiladed by machine guns and practically wiped out. The advance continued for some distance, but the companies came under enfilading fire.

They were ordered to move to the right, which brought the Glosters advancing towards Sazli Beit Dere, which they crossed, to a depth of between 60-200 yards. Owing to the change in direction there was considerable mixing of the companies and units. The right of the line had to retire to escape the enemy fire. The Turks were continually attacking the line, but in spite of those attacks and heavy losses in officers and SNCO's, the line was held until relieved. Every officer, company sergeant major and company quartermaster sergeant was either killed or wounded, and the battalion consisted of groups of men commanded by junior NCO's and privates.

When the relieving troops arrived at dusk on 8 August, most of those groups were sent back to battalion headquarters, and continued to do so over the following three days.

The casualties consisted of: 3 officers killed and 8 wounded; with approximate figures for the other ranks recorded in the war diary as 45 killed, 115 wounded, and 190 missing.

One of those killed at Chunuk Bair on 8 August, 1915, was Private William Tucker. He was aged 19, and had served for just 28 days at Gallipoli.

Having no known grave, Private William Tucker is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli, in Turkey. He is also commemorated on the City of Gloucester cenotaph memorial.

His service earned him the 1914-15 Star; British War Medal, 1914-20; and Victory Medal, 1914-19.