The early years of William Houston are remarkably similar to those of Ann McCrae. William Houston was born ca 1838 in Kilmarnock, the son of William Houston and Margaret Spence. I have been unable to find details of their relationship but William’s father was possibly in the British Army - Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) - 1st Foot. I have not located William’s parents in the 1841 Census but William, aged 4, was living with his grandparents Samuel and Margaret Spence and their family in Gargieston, Kilmarnock. Samuel Spence was a coal miner and in 1851 the family were located at Springside Colliery, Dreghorn, Ayrshire. William Houston, aged 14, had started his working life as a coal miner. William pursued a career in mining throughout his life. Initially he was a pit engine stoker, then an engine keeper and eventually he became a colliery oversman and then a manager. His career was not without incident as we shall see.