The AIF Project

George Watson WILLIAMS

Regimental number2601
Place of birthPortsmouth, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationElectrician
Addressc/o W A Jones, Mellington Street, Dulwich, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Next of kinMother, Mrs Minna Watson Williams, Q Block 4 Peabody Buildings Stanford Street, London, England
Enlistment date4 May 1915
Place of enlistmentKeswick, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name12th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT Morea on 26 August 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
FateReturned to Australia
Medals

Military Medal

'For courage and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. is in the Wireless Section of the Company. He was detailed to establish communication by means of a Loop Set between a Company of the 29th Infantry Battalion, which was in the line, and Battalion Headquarters near SAILLY-le-SEC. This was required as an alternate means of communication for a minor operation in which the Battalion was engaged on the night of 7th/8th May, 1918. The Loop Set was only received by Corporal WILLIAMS on the evening of 7th May, 1918, and he had to work continuously and hard, and in darkness, in order to have it erected in time for the operation. The area was continuously shelled at the time, but he established communication. Between 10 p.m. and 4.20 a.m. this was the only means of communication between the Company and Battalion. Corporal WILLIAMS remained in the forward area throughout the night and controlled the Set. It was entirely due to his devotion to duty in difficult circumstances that satisfactory results were obtained. The excellent example he has always set, often under artillery and gas bombardments, has been a great incentive to all associated with him.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Other details

Was gassed whilst serving in France. This consequently affected him for the rest of his life.

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death1 January 1938
Age at death48
Place of burialCheltenham Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia

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