Born in 1702 in Mevagissey Cornwall the son of wealthy farmers. Many assume that the nickname Swillin' Billy came from his ability to consume prodigious quantities of grog and remain in an upright position. However this nickname dates back to his youth on his parents farm where his job was to tend the large herd of pigs and he was responsible for making up their pig swill.. He thought he had escaped the somewhat onerous name when he joined the Navy…… until he bumped into an old friend from Mevagissey in a tavern who greeted him as Swilling Billy and his crew mates never let him forget it from that moment on.

At the age of 14 he joined the Royal Navy and sailed under Admiral Sir George Byng on HMS Barfleur. Rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, he gained a reputation as a fearsome swordsman and a fine marksman. He distinguishing himself at the battle of Cape Passaro near Sicilly on August 11th 1718 by leading a boarding party which captured the San Luis a 64 gun Spanish ship of the line.

However, what looked set to be an illustrious naval career was cut short when he was caught in a very compromising position with the admirals daughter. He soon found himself ensconced in the naval wing of Bodmin Goal awaiting court martial on a trumped up charge.

While there he made the acquaintance of Mad Paddy O'Toole, who was a fearsome Irish pirate who occupied the next cell. Between them they hatched a cunning plan and managed to make their escape. In the process they amazingly defeated 6 armed guards by using only a slops bucket and O'Toole's wooden leg as weapons. They made it across Bodmin Moor and met up with some of O'Toole's acquaintances at Sennan Cove and that is where Swilling Billy's Piratical career began.

Some months later he met a highway woman named Kitty Hawke who was also down on her luck and  the two of them set out to seek their fortiune together. Thet joined The Pirates of St. Piran crew and are still plundering on the high seas to this very day..