William Hubbard was born in Haddenham in 1878 although the family soon moved to Thame living, in Moreton Lane and Church Road. They were at 65 High Street in 1911. William was the second eldest of seven sons born to Thomas Hubbard and Susannah (nee Woodbridge).

He was working as an errand boy before joining the Royal Engineers on 7th April 1896. The 1st Telegraph Battalion was established in South Africa by early 1900 where William would have been employed driving horses and wagons in support of the essential telegraph communication lines.

322 Driver William Hubbard, 1 Division Telegraph Battalion, Royal Engineers died of typhoid on 8th May 1900 at Ladysmith, age 22, and was buried in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

He is remembered at the Royal Engineers Boer War Memorial at Chatham Barracks, Kent and on a memorial plaque in St Mary’s Church, Thame.