What is the main contrast between William and his father in the shot heard round the world by Anne Elliot

Williams had a dream and hope of fighting with other men against the British advancing soldiers but his father believed that Williams should continue as drum boy because he is too young to fight. He sees him as too young to be in the war front. His line is behind the front row.

Explanation:

Williams appears to be more anxious to fight than his father. He wants a situation where he will has his musket at hand and command his fellow soldiers to defeat the redcoat British soldiers and be welcome with kisses from their women.

But his father thinks otherwise, because the drum he was beating was reluctantly agreed to by his father.