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Just a thought. In looking at the Census and public records for my own Great Grandfather (b1832 d1916) he would appear to have had a different trade/profession in almost every census and record I have found for him! Here’s a list:

1851 – Tinner (?) Journeyman

1858 – Plate Layer

1861 – Train Examiner

1861 – Railway Carriage Fitter

1867 – Book-keeper, 5,6,7, Clarence Street, Cheltenham

1869-1871 - Accountant,

1871 – House Decorator

1875 – Confectioner

1881 – Clerk to Highway Inspector

1883 - Confectioner

1884 – Confectioner

1888 – Insurance Agent

1889 – Superintendent, Assurance Company

1891 – Agent, Life Assurance

1899 – Photographer

1901 – Photo Agent

1911 – Old Age Pensioner

1916 – Formerly an Insurance Agent 

I think people could move around into different jobs more easily in the past?

Have you tried the Ancestry Bristol Non-Conformist Baptism Marriage and Burial records 1644-1981?  It contains several Weston-super-Mare entries.

Is it possible that the training he got in the Royal Engineers would have given him the necessary start for a similar career after the war?

Thanks Les, This would be a very reasonable supposition except that as Rob has pointed out William's first wife was much older when they married and past childbearing years.  No children from his marriages.

Was William left with young children, if so, his marriage to Ann may have been one of convenience which grew as he mourned his first wife. Ann would have been around him no doubt, helping him and rather than bring her into his household as a housekeeper, he married her for the sake of respectability.

Perhaps he had a penchant for older women?  And now the good news - I've found the wedding and it was in Hackney!

Note it was witnessed by Sally or Salle SAUNDERS, William's sister.   I believe Ann SHORTMAN was an older sister of the Elizabeth who was William's first wife.  But what were they doing in London?
Thank you for the interest you have shown - it's always good to get a second opinion.