William WilliamsVC, 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.
On 7 June 1917, HMS Pargust (a Q ship) was out in the Atlantic Ocean when her engine room was damaged by a torpedo fired from the U-boatSM UC-29. 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 Pargust's 'panic party', the decoy crew carried on every Q ship for the purpose of leaving it apparently abandoned when attacked, took to the lifeboats and the U-boat then surfaced, believing the Pargust to be a crewless and defenceless merchant vessel. When the U-boat was about 50 yards (46 m) away, the captain of HMS Pargust gave the order to fire and the submarine was blown up and sank.
In the case of a gallant and daring act in which all men are deemed equally brave and deserving of the Victoria Cross a secret ballot is drawn. The crew of HMS Pargust selected William Williams to be the recipient of the award due to a rating in the action.
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]
william, williams, battle, gallipoli, victoria, cross, recipient, william, charles, williams, william, williams, october, 1890, october, 1965, welsh, recipient, victoria, cross, highest, most, prestigious, award, gallantry, face, enemy, that, awarded, member, . For the Battle of Gallipoli Victoria Cross recipient see William Charles Williams William Williams VC DSM amp 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 William WilliamsBorn 1890 10 05 5 October 1890Amlwch Anglesey WalesDied22 October 1965 1965 10 22 aged 75 Holyhead Anglesey WalesAllegiance United KingdomService wbr branch Royal NavyRankSeamanUnitRoyal Naval ReserveBattles warsWorld War IAwardsVictoria Cross Distinguished Service Medal amp BarHe 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 a Q ship was out in the Atlantic Ocean when her engine room was damaged by a torpedo fired from the U boat SM UC 29 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 Pargust s panic party the decoy crew carried on every Q ship for the purpose of leaving it apparently abandoned when attacked took to the lifeboats and the U boat then surfaced believing the Pargust to be a crewless and defenceless merchant vessel When the U boat was about 50 yards 46 m away the captain of HMS Pargust gave the order to fire and the submarine was blown up and sank In the case of a gallant and daring act in which all men are deemed equally brave and deserving of the Victoria Cross a secret ballot is drawn The crew of HMS Pargust selected William Williams to be the recipient of the award due to a rating in the action Contents 1 Honours and awards 2 Photographs 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHonours and awards edit23 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 Photographs edit nbsp William Williams VC Memorial PlaqueSee also editRonald Niel StuartReferences edit No 29997 The London Gazette Supplement 23 March 1917 p 2952 No 30194 The London Gazette Supplement 20 July 1917 p 7424 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 External links editWilliam Williams at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Williams VC amp oldid 1138845432, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
