Lt William Magee joined the 2nd Battalion, 48th Highlanders in Toronto and is shown in a 1940 newspaper article as one of the 52 officers of the 2nd Battalion who were training for service in the Second World War. Once in England he joined the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders and was 11 Platoon commander in 1942. When the battalion sailed in June 1943 for the landing at Pachino in Sicily Magee was in Able Company as platoon commander.

In Sicily, on 4 October  Able company crossed the Catola River at 1330 hours, advancing along its right bank as the battalion prepared to take San Marco. Opposition was light in early stages and under fire a recce by Captain Wright and Lt Magee of Able Company, accompanied by LCol Johnston, was made of the ground leading to their final position. Lt. Magee then brought his platoon along the recce route and gave the word to attack at 3:00 pm and led a gallant skirmishing rush. With their area now cleared, Magee led them out of a badly exposed position under mortar and machine gun fire to a position offering good cover. “He was too late; he was seriously wounded by mortar fire while trying to get his men under cover and moved out of their deadly danger.” Dileas pages 363-363. Magee would die of his wounds on 4 November 1943.

The spelling of his middle name “Heanery” on the Commonwealth War Graves site is incorrect but he is listed correctly in the national book of remembrance as William Henry.