# Jack Williams (VC)

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Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross (1886–1953)

John Henry Williams Born (1886-09-29)29 September 1886 Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, Wales Died 7 March 1953(1953-03-07) (aged 66) Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales Buried Ebbw Vale Cemetery, Monmouthshire, Wales Allegiance United Kingdom Branch British Army Service years 1914–1918 Rank Company Sergeant Major Service number 20408 Unit South Wales Borderers Conflicts First World War Awards Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Military Medal & Bar Médaille Militaire (France)

[Company Sergeant Major](/source/Company_sergeant_major) **John Henry Williams**, [VC](/source/Victoria_Cross), [DCM](/source/Distinguished_Conduct_Medal), [MM](/source/Military_Medal) & [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) (29 September 1886 – 7 March 1953) was a [Welsh](/source/Wales) colliery worker, soldier, and a recipient of the [Victoria Cross](/source/Victoria_Cross) (VC) the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [British](/source/United_Kingdom) and [Commonwealth](/source/Commonwealth_of_Nations) forces. Williams is the most decorated Welsh [non-commissioned officer](/source/Non-commissioned_officer) of all time.

## Early life

Williams was born in [Nantyglo](/source/Nantyglo), [Monmouthshire](/source/Monmouthshire_(historic)), on 29 September 1886.[1]

## First World War

In November 1914, Williams gave up his employment as a [colliery](/source/Colliery) [blacksmith](/source/Blacksmith) and enlisted in the [10th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers (1st Gwent)](/source/10th_(Service)_Battalion%2C_South_Wales_Borderers_(1st_Gwent)) (part of the [38th (Welsh) Division](/source/38th_(Welsh)_Infantry_Division)). He was promoted to [sergeant](/source/Sergeant) in January 1915.

His citation for the Victoria Cross reads:

For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty on the night of 7th – 8th October 1918, during the attack on Villers Outreaux, when, observing that his company was suffering heavy casualties from an enemy machine gun, he 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 fifteen of the enemy. These prisoners, realising that Williams was alone, turned on him and one of them gripped his rifle. He succeeded in breaking away and bayonetting five enemy, whereupon the remainder again surrendered. By this gallant action and total disregard of personal danger, he was the means of enabling not only his own company but also those on the flanks to advance.[2]

[Company sergeant major](/source/Company_sergeant_major) Williams was medically discharged from the army on 17 October 1918 after being severely wounded by [shrapnel](/source/Shrapnel_shell) in the right arm and leg.

In 1919, Williams was invested with his Victoria Cross, [Distinguished Conduct Medal](/source/Distinguished_Conduct_Medal), [Military Medal](/source/Military_Medal) and [Bar](/source/Military_decoration) by King [George V](/source/George_V),[3] 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.

## Legacy

Williams' grave and memorial are at [Ebbw Vale](/source/Ebbw_Vale) Cemetery. The original headstone was removed during cemetery clearance and a new headstone was erected on 21 October 1990.

In September 2018 the villagers of [Villers-Outréaux](/source/Villers-Outr%C3%A9aux) dedicated an especially commissioned memorial to commemorate him and express their thanks for saving their village from certain destruction.

### Bridge of Honour

The 'Jack Williams Gateway Bridge' was unveiled on 21 January 2019, by his great, great-granddaughter. It is 160 ft. tall, and is part of the new [A465](/source/A465) ('Heads of Valleys') road dualling project between [Brynmawr](/source/Brynmawr) and [Gilwern](/source/Gilwern), on the westerly-part of the [Clydach](/source/Clydach_Gorge) Gorge. It weighs just over 738 tons.

Mr Williams' name was chosen for the bridge by 96% of those who participated in the public vote.

### War Medal

Williams' Victoria Cross is displayed at the [Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh](/source/Regimental_Museum_of_The_Royal_Welsh), [Brecon](/source/Brecon).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Life story: John Henry Williams | Lives of the First World War"](https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5167834). *livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk*. Retrieved 11 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["No. 31067"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31067/supplement/14776). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 13 December 1918. p. 14776.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Gidley, Sophie (5 March 2014). ["A memorial at last for the World War I hero who captured 15 enemies while underfire"](http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/memorial-last-world-war-hero-6772242). *WalesOnline*. Retrieved 11 November 2022.

## External links

- [C.S.M John Henry Williams V.C.](http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/vc.htm)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] *(a Welsh Victoria Cross – biography, extra details & photo)*

- [Location of grave and VC medal](https://web.archive.org/web/20050411172448/http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/wales.htm#monmouthshire) *(Monmouthshire)*

v t e Royal Welsh Predecessors 1st generation Royal Welch Fusiliers (1689–2006) South Wales Borderers (1689–1969) 41st (Welch) Regiment of Foot (1719–1881) 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot (1756–1881) 2nd generation Welch Regiment (1881–1969) 3rd generation Royal Regiment of Wales (1969–2006) Victoria Cross William Wilson Allan David Bell Gonville Bromhead Edward Stevenson Browne Alexander Cobbe Nevill Coghill William Griffiths Frederick Hitch Alfred Henry Hook Dudley Graham Johnson William Jones Teignmouth Melvill Ivor Rees John Williams John Henry Williams Angus Buchanan James Cooper Campbell Mellis Douglas James Fynn Edric Gifford Robert Jones Thomas Murphy Albert White Ambrose Madden Hugh Rowlands William Charles Fuller Hubert William Lewis Edgar Myles Tasker Watkins Frederick Barter Edward William Derrington Bell John Collins James Llewellyn Davies Joseph John Davies Charles Doughty-Wylie Albert Hill George Monger Luke O'Connor Henry Weale Thomas Bernard Hackett Robert Shields William Henry Thomas Sylvester William Herbert Waring See also Battle of Rorke's Drift Prince of Wales's feathers Men of Harlech Firing Line Prince of Wales' Division Welsh Guards 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards

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