He went on a continental Grand Tour in 1803–04, during which he visited Berlin to see the Prussian Army reviews.

Although this was during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, his own military service was at home; he was commissioned Captain in the Derbyshire Militia in 1803, was promoted Major in 1804, and was its Colonel from 1811 until his early death.

On the evening of 14 January 1812, he was killed when he was accidentally flung from his curricle driving in Holker Park.

[3] He had been visiting his father's seat and was returning from a shooting excursion with his brother Charles and his college tutor named the Rev.

The reins broke and William attempted to recover them when he was thrown and instantly killed.