WILLIAMS, Richard
| Service Number: | 244 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 January 1916, 4th Regiment, 12 months |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia, 21 September 1890 |
| Home Town: | New Lambton, Lake Macquarie Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia, 21 May 1934, aged 43 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW METHODIST 4-05. 38. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 244, 35th Infantry Battalion, 4th Regiment, 12 months | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 244, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 244, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 4 Feb 1919: | Honoured Military Medal, 'For devotion to duty and gallant service during attack on enemy position near MORLANCOURT near ALBERT on the night of 5th/6th May 1918. This N.C.O. was of the greatest assistance to his platoon Commander. He was sent to ascertain the position of the left of his platoon and found a Company without an Officer and in doubt as to its situation in relation to the objective. He alone gave assistance to the N.C.O. in charge, got the troops together and launched them to their final object. Consolidation under his order was immediately proceeded with. He afterwards continued his work with his own platoon. His influence at this particular time was of the greatest value.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15. | |
| 30 Jul 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 244, 35th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD, MU wounding, right leg amputated |
Help us honour Richard Williams's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served bravely during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
89 years ago today, on the Wednesday afternoon of the 23rd May 1934, Sergeant Richard Williams (M.M.), referred to as Dick, 35th Battalion (Reg No-244), miner from New Lambton Road, New Lambton, New South Wales and Young Road, Lambton, N.S.W., father of two, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 43. METHODIST 4-05. 38.
Mr. Williams had died at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, N.S.W. on the 21st May 1934.
Born at New Lambton, New South Wales on the 21st September 1890 to John and Sarah A Williams; husband of Lucy A Williams nee ?, Dick enlisted on the 11th January 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May 1916.
Admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance 12.10.1917 (strained back).
Granted leave to England from the 27.2.1918 to the 13.3.1918.
Wounded in action - 22.8.1918 (GSW right thigh, severe, Peronne).
Transferred to England 1.10.1918.
Amputation of right leg 2.10.1918.
'For devotion to duty and gallant service during attack on enemy position near MORLANCOURT near ALBERT on the night of 5th/6th May 1918. This N.C.O. was of the greatest assistance to his platoon Commander. He was sent to ascertain the position of the left of his platoon and found a Company without an Officer and in doubt as to its situation in relation to the objective. He alone gave assistance to the N.C.O. in charge, got the troops together and launched them to their final object. Consolidation under his order was immediately proceeded with. He afterwards continued his work with his own platoon. His influence at this particular time was of the greatest value.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15.
Date: 4th February 1919.
Dick was invalided home on the 18th May 1919, not being discharged medically unfit (amputation right leg) until the 30th July 1920.
Mr. Williams’s name has been inscribed on the New Lambton Public School Roll of Honour, New Lambton War Memorial Gates, Lambton and New Lambton Municipal District Roll of Honor, New Lambton Mechanics' Institute Roll of Honour and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
I have placed poppies upon Dick’s brown granite headstone in remembrance of his brave service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Service record states, Died after Discharge, 21/5/1934.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.