Jack Williams (VC)

John (Jack) Henry Williams VC DCM MM & Bar (29 September 1886 – 7 March 1953), 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.

Williams was born in Nantyglo, Monmouthshire in 1886.

World War I

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.

His grave and memorial are at Ebbw Vale Cemetery. The original headstone was removed during cemetery clearance and a new headstone was erected on 21 October 1990.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum "(Brecon, Powys, Wales)".

References

*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)

External links

* [http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/vc.htm C.S.M John Henry Williams V.C.] "(a Welsh Victoria Cross - biography, extra details & photo)"
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/wales.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Gwent, Wales)"