William Charles Williams VC

Name: William Charles Williams

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: August 16, 1915

Service: Royal Navy

Place/date of birth: Stanton Lacy, Shropshire/September 15, 1880

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Able Seaman

Date of bravery: April 25, 1915

London Gazette citation:

Able Seaman William Chas. Williams, O.N. 186774 (R.F.R. B.3766).

Held on to a line in the water [on board HMS River Clyde at Gallipoli] for over an hour under heavy fire, until killed.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers and men for the conspicuous acts, of bravery mentioned in the foregoing despatch:—

…Able Seaman William Chas. Williams, O.N. 186774 (R.F.R. B.3766) (since killed).

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: V Beach, Gallipoli, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)/April 25, 1915

Grave/memorials: Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire/Chepstow Parish Church, Monmouthshire; Chepstow War Memorial, Monmouthshire

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Dix Noonan Webb, London, 1997

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum