Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles De Lisle Alfin a Farm Labourer, born 1861 in Cripplegate, London and his wife Harriet, born 1862 in North Luffenham, Rutland. William Henry De Lisle was a Domestic Coachman and was born in 1898 in Ketton, Rutland, his siblings were Florence Lucy, born 1888 in Tixover, Rutland and Evelyn, born 1896 in North Luffenham, Rutland, in 1911 the family home was at North Luffenham, Rutland. He embarked for France on the 15th July 1916. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal, and finally to that of Sergeant on the 9th March 1918. His Military Medal was awarded for distinguished conduct in the field, reported as follows, south of Polygon Wood, on the 25th and 26th September 1917 this non commissioned officer performed very useful work by the skilful disposition of his Lewis gun team during the enemy’s attacks, remaining cool throughout, and accounting for many of the enemy. His bravery, cheerfulness and calmness were very inspiring throughout the action. He took part in the Battles of the Somme, Ypres and Arras, and met his death from a shell wound near High Wood, France.