[2] He joined the British Army as an ensign in the 4th Regiment of Foot in 1777, possibly seeing action in the American War of Independence.
In 1782 he was promoted to the rank of Captain and joined the 42nd Regiment of Foot (Black Watch) returning to the war in America.
[3] William had inherited Kilbucho Castle in 1780 and began a series of improvements to the gardens, following the fashion of the day.
He appears to have been in the Tory minority which supported Pitt in various wartime political debates (probably due to his military background).
[4] In 1808 he was given the important position as Governor of Cork in the south of Ireland in place of Henry Skeffington, 3rd Earl of Massereene.