William Henry Lindley was born at Thornhill Lees,Dewsbury his father having moved there by 1854 from Hunslet, Leeds to work at the Kilner Bros.Glassworks.

The family had moved to Conisbrough by 1867, his father working at the new Kilner Glassworks at Conisbrough. William Henry also worked there as a apprentice glass blower according to the 1881 Conisbrough Census. He worked there for several years until he had a serious accident to his leg. He was then employed by Conisbrough Urban District Council and continued working for them until the age of 78 years. He married Ellen Ackroyd of Wellgate, Conisbrough in 1889 at St. Peter's Church, Conisbrough and subsequently had 12 children. He was widowed in 1923,with some children living at home with him ,after his children had all married, in his later life he lived in turn with his sons George William and James and finally his daughter Doris Burleigh at Woodlands, Nr. Doncaster. At the age of 89 years old he fell and broke his leg he died a few days short of his