Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant W. H. Williams, 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who, after being decorated for his gallantry in a trench raid at Neuville Vitasse in June 1918, was wounded by a gunshot at Rosieres that August

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘Lt. W. H. Williams, 31st Bn. Canadians, Neuville Vitarre, June 24/25 1918’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. H. Williams), generally very fine (3) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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M.C. London Gazette 24 September 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid. He led his platoon with great ability to the objective. When his platoon was held up by a machine-gun he pushed ahead and single-handed charged the post, killing the crew and capturing the gun. He set a splendid example of courage and determined leadership.’

William Henry Williams, who was born in Plymouth, Devon, in December 1881, joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in January 1916.

Commissioned in the 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he was embarked for France in November 1917, and remained actively engaged in that theatre of war until being wounded by a gunshot in his right thigh at Rosieres, near Amiens, on 9 August 1918, the interim period having witnessed his M.C.-winning exploits in a raid at Neuville Vitasse that June.

Latterly employed in the 21st (Reserve) Battalion in the U.K., Williams was discharged back in Canada in July 1919. Sold with copied military correspondence.