William Popple attended the Annat school, Malvern.

Married Mary Ann Leigh.

Father of George Leigh Popple.

He served in South Africa for 160 days in the final stages of the Anglo-Boer War, primarily in the Transvaal. He was discharged 26 August 1902, then rejoined the Permanent Force in 1904-6.

He was seconded to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in August 1918. He received artillery training in the 49th Reinforcements for the NZ Filed Artillery, and was temporarily promoted to Bombadier. However, as World War I was drawing to a close, he was granted leave without pay before embarkation and was stood down from duty until after the war. He rejoined after 26 March 1919, and may have been stationed at Lyttelton. In 1921-22 he was transferred to the New Zealand Army Orders Corps until his discharge.

Father was named William Popple. AWMM