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William Spiller was born in Whitstable, Kent on 5 Oct 1863 and entered the Royal Navy on 8 Sep 1894 and promoted to Acting Boatswain on 1 Nov 1895, first serving at H.M.S. Black Prince and joining the crew of H.M.S. Thetis on 15 Feb 1898 until 8 June 1901. During WWI, Spiller served as Chief Boatswain aboard Armed Boarding Steamer, HMS Stephen Furness.