Auction Catalogue

31 March 2010

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 626

.

31 March 2010

Hammer Price:
£720

Three: Serjeant E. J. Williams, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, killed in action, 21 September 1917, killed in action, Battle of Menin Road, 21 September 1917

1914-15 Star (1344 Pte., 19/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1344 Sjt., 19 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (3) £400-450

Edward John Williams, a Labourer from 53 Lower Fort Street, Sydney, N.S.W., enlisted on 22 February 1915. Joining the 19th Battalion, he embarked from Melbourne aboard H.M.A.T. Ceramic on 25 June 1915. After landing and further training in Egypt, the battalion was posted to Gallipoli, arriving there in August 1915. At Gallipoli the battalion participated in the attack on Hill 60. After being withdrawn from the peninsula, the battalion proceeded to Egypt and thence to France. There the battalion was heavily involved in the offensive at Pozieres, July-August 1916 and Flers, 14-16 November 1916. In 1917 the battalion took part in the Second Battle of Bullecourt, in France, 3-4 May, and the Battle of the Menin Road, in Belgium, 20-22 September. Serjeant Williams was killed in action at the Battle of Menin Road, on 21 September 1917, aged 33 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was the son of Edward John and Gertrude Williams and the husband of Beatrice Ethel Williams, of 8 Albert Terrace, Portland, Dorset, England. With copied research.