William Williams (VC)
| William Williams | |
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| Born | 5 October 1890 Anglesey, Wales |
| Died | 22 October 1965 (aged 75) Holyhead, Anglesey |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  Royal Navy |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Unit | Royal Naval Reserve |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Medal & Bar |
- See William Charles Williams for the Battle of Gallipoli Victoria Cross recipient.
William Williams VC, DSM & Bar (5 October 1890 – 22 October 1965), was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.
He was from Amlwch on Anglesey, and at age 26, was serving as a seaman in the Royal Naval Reserve during the First World War when the following deed took place:
- On 7 June 1917, HMS Pargust (one of the Q ships) was out in the Atlantic Ocean when her engine room was damaged by a torpedo fired from a U-boat. The explosion loosened the gun covers and Seaman Williams, with great presence of mind, took the whole weight on himself and physically prevented the covers from falling and betraying the ship to the enemy.
The 'Panic Party' went away and the U-boat surfaced, thinking that Pargust was a merchant vessel. When the U-boat was about 50 yards (46 m) away, the Commander of Pargust gave the order to fire and the submarine blew up and sank.
The crew conducted a ballot to see which of them would be awarded the medal, as they were all deemed to have taken part equally in the action.
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[edit] Honours and awards
- 23 March 1917 - Distinguished Service Medal - To receive the Distinguished Service Medal - Sea. William Williams, R.N.R., O.N. 6224A.[1]
- 20 July 1917 - Victoria Cross - The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals to Officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines: - To receive the Victoria Cross. Liet. Ronald Neil Stuart, D.S.O., R.N.R.. Sea. William Williams, R.N.R., O.N. 6224A. Lieutenant Stuart and Seaman Williams were selected by the officers and ship's company respectively of one of H.M. Ships to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated the 29th January, 1856.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29997. p. 2952. 23 March 1917. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30194. p. 7424. 20 July 1917. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Gwynedd, Wales)
