William Whittingham Chase was the son of George Haswell Chase, a Master Mariner, and his wife Sarah Isabella Chase.

William had attended St John's School in South Shields before entering the High School at the age of 13. He left in 1911 to become an engineer at Rennoldson's shipyard and engineering works, and later got a 4-year apprenticeship with Brigham and Cowan shipyard.

In 1913, during his apprenticeship, he signed up with the Tyne Electrical Engineers as a Sapper, and went on a 2-month course at Gosport.

He was mobilised to the Home Service in August, 1914, and served in France from August, 1915, to July, 1916, returning to Home Service until his discharge (after time served) on 14-Apr-1917.

William survived the war, and died in Gosforth in 1964.