William was the son of William and Elizabeth Frost (nee Briggs), who were married in 1883.
William and Elizabeth had ten children born alive of whom only six were still living at the time of the 1911 Census although they were later to lose two sons in the war. Eight children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911; William, Thomas, Francis, Harry, Charles, Nellie, Harold and Leonard.
In 1891 William (b. abt 1851, Nottingham), a lace maker, and Elizabeth (b. abt 1862, Shelford, Notts) were living at 10 Mosley Street, New Basford, with their four sons, William (6), Thomas (5), Francis (3) and Harry (3 months).
Ten years later in 1901 they were still at the same address. Seven children were in the home on the night of the census; William, Thomas, Francis, Harry, Charles (8), Nellie (5) and Harold (2). Also in the house was Elizabeth's brother, Henry Briggs (35). Thomas, their second son, died later the same year aged 15 (b. abt. 1886, death registered Jul/Aug/Sept).
William senior died in 1903 aged 52 and his son, Charles, died in 1910, aged 17 (b. abt. 1893).
By 1911 Elizabeth was living at 48 Lees Hill Street, Sneinton; she was working as a newsagent on her own account. Five of her six children were at home on the night of the census; William, Harry, Nellie, Harold and Leonard (8). Elizabeth's brother, Henry Briggs, was still living with the family.
William married Sarah Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Gothard on 26 February 1912. They lived at 120 Colwick Road, Sneinton, although the notice of William's death in the local paper gives their address as 23 Colwick Road. His widow later moved to New Westwood, Nottinghamshire.
William's brother, 58746 Private Harold Frost, served in the 2nd Battalion Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, from 22 February 1917 and was killed in France on 28 March 1918 (Pozieres Memorial).
William's widow completed a form for the army following her husband's death which listed her husband's surviving blood relatives. The following were named:
Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Frost, New Westwood near Jacksdale, Notts.
Mother: Elizabeth Frost, 116 Colwick Road, Sneinton
Brothers: Francis Frost (32), 12 Sandringham Road, Nottingham. Harry Frost (28) 5 Bradbury Street, Nottingham, and Leonard Frost (17), 116 Colwick Road, Nottingham.
Sister: Nellie Frost (21), 116 Colwick Road, Nottingham
William's mother, Elizabeth, died in 1953 aged 91.