Orders, Decorations and Medals

A North West Europe Immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to Gunner K. S. Williams, 116th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (887308 Gnr. K. S. Williams, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R., 1st issue (887308 Gnr., R.A.) contact marks and edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine (6)

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945.

‘On 27 Oct 44 during the attack on the outskirts of s’Hertogenbosch a tp of LAA SP guns was placed in support of one of the leading Battalions. Gnr Williams was the driver of the Tp commanders jeep. During this day the tp were given the task of supporting the carrier pl and throughout Gnr Williams drove the jeep about in the forward area of the leading infantry. On 28 Oct the tp was ordered to deploy in the Western half of s’Hertogenbosch and a recce party went forward into the area in which it was known that there were many enemy snipers and which was under constant and heavy enemy fire. Gnr Williams drove about in the area totally ignoring this fire and showing utter disregard for his own safety. Several enemy prisoners were taken; these Gnr Williams took back to the Inf. Coy HQ, through streets which were under fire, returning later to his tp comd. The tp had now deployed but were pinned to the ground and one of the men became a casualty. Gnr Williams helped to load him on the jeep and drove back to the RAP under covering fire from a Bren mounted in the back of the jeep. Later in the day a further recce was made of the area, Gnr Williams accompanying his Tp Comd, throughout, who especially reported his complete coolness in the most dangerous circumstances. On the 29 Oct the infantry located a Spandau post near the canal, and Gnr Williams drove his jeep with the Tp Comd aboard, with great dash, followed by an SP gun into a forward position. Then with the SP covering the attack Gnr Williams drove the jeep with three others inside along the Canal bank and took nine prisoners. The canal bank was in full view of the enemy and was under heavy fire. The Tp Comd and three others then took up position and Gnr Williams kept them supplied with ammunition, making sevral journeys and running the gauntlet along the canal bank fearlessly and without hesitation. This he continued to do throughout the day, and when the party were pinned down by enemy fire, he and another came up and gave them covering fire. On the 30 Oct his Tp Comd and TSM were wounded, Gnr Williams took the latter back to the RAP and on the way back was hit in the hand, but successfully reached the scene of the fighting, bringing with him a ladder with which to cross the canal to rescue his officer. In spite of his wounds he gave great assistance in carrying back his Tp Comd whilst being sniped and once again went back to the RAP over a route which was under enemy fire. His courage and complete devotion to duty throughout these four days of action were of the very highest order and there is no doubt that by his actions he contributed in no small measure to the success of the operation of his tp which enabled the leading tps to press on continuously. His gallant behaviour is still the talk of his fellow men.’