William Charles Williams

William Charles Williams VC (September 15, 1880 – April 25, 1915) 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 came from Chepstow. He was 34 years old, and an able seaman in the Royal Navy during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 April 1915 during the landing on V Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, Able Seaman Williams, with three other men (George Leslie Drewry, Wilfred St. Aubyn Malleson and George McKenzie Samson) was assisting the commander (Edward Unwin) of their ship, HMS "River Clyde" at the work of securing the lighters. He held on to a rope for over an hour, standing chest deep in the sea, under continuous fire. He was eventually dangerously wounded and later killed by a shell whilst his rescue was being effected by the commander who described him as the bravest sailor he had ever met.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
*VCs of the First World War — Gallipoli (Stephen Snelling, 1995)
*VCs of the First World War — The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)