William Compton was born in 1625. On the outbreak of the Civil War he joined the Cavaliers and served under his father. At the age of seventeen he fought at Banbury and during the battle had "two horses shot under him".

Compton was appointed Governor of Banbury and in this post had to endure a thirteen weeks siege in 1644. However, he was forced to surrender the town to Parliamentary forces in May 1646.

During the Commonwealth Compton was a member of the secret Sealed Knot group that plotted the return of Charles II. At the Restoration he was appointed Master of the Ordnance. William Compton died in 1663.