William Holloway Greathead was born in 1890 in Birmingham, Warwickshire in England. He was the son of John Josiah Greathead and Ann née Oliver. He lost his mother when he was only 7 years old while she was giving birth to his brother Alfred.

William worked as a coal miner hewer and married Emily E Truman in 1914 in Birmingham.

William Holloway Greathead was a Private in 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He was awarded the Victory, British and 15 star medals and died on 19 April 1916 from his wounds in Mesopotamia.

William was buried in Amara War Cemetery, Al ‘Amarah, Maysan, Iraq, Plot XXI.E.11