Jack Williams
John (Jack) Henry Williams (VC, DCM, MM & Bar) 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
British and
Commonwealth forces.
He was 32 years old, and a
Company Sergeant-Major in the 10th Bn.,
The South Wales Borderers,
British Army during the
First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 7/8 October 1918 at
Villers Outreaux,
France, Company Sergeant-Major Williams, seeing that his company was suffering heavy casualties from an enemy machine-gun, ordered a Lewis gun to engage it, and went forward under heavy fire to the flank of the enemy post, which he rushed single-handed, capturing 15 of the enemy. The prisoners, realizing that he was alone, then turned on him and one of them gripped his rifle. He managed to break away and killed five of the enemy, whereupon the remainder again surrendered. This action enabled not only his own company but those on the flank to advance.
John (Jack) Henry Williams was born in
Nantyglo,
Monmouthshire in
1886. He is the most decorated
Welsh non-commissioned officer of all time
In November 1914 Williams gave up his employment as a
colliery blacksmith and enlisted in the 10th
South Wales Borderers. He was promoted to
Sergeant in January
1915.
CSM Williams was medically discharged from the army on
17 October 1918 after being severely wounded by
shrapnel in the right arm and leg.
In 1919 he received the
VC,
DCM,
MM and
Bar from
King George V, the first time that the King had decorated the same man four times in one day. At the time of the investiture Williams had not recovered from his severe wounds, and during the presentation the wound in his arm opened up with the result that medical attention had to be given before he could leave the palace.
Grave/memorial at
Ebbw Vale Cemetery. Original headstone removed during cemetery clearance - new headstone erected 21 Oct 1990.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the
South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).
*
Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*
The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*
VCs of the First World War - The Final Days 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 2000)
*
C.S.M John Henry Williams V.C. (a Welsh Victoria Cross - biography, extra details & photo)*
Location of grave and VC medal (Gwent, Wales)This page has been
migrated from the
Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
