Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1915 ‘Ypres’ D.C.M., 1918 M.M. group of eight awarded to Company Sergeant Major G. Williams, Lincolnshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4940 A.L. Cpl. G. Williams. 1/Linc: Regt.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (4940 Cpl. C. Williams. 1/Linc: R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (4940. Pte: G. Williams. 2/Linc: Rgt:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4940 Pte. G. Williams. Lincoln: Regt.); 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (4940 Pte. G. Williams. 1/Linc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4940 Cpl. G. Williams Linc. R.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (4795547 W.O. Cl. II. G. Williams D.C.M.., M.M. 4 - Linc. R.), mounted as originally worn, housed in a custom made case, light contact marks overall, generally nearly very fine (8) £2000-2400

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915:

‘For devotion to duty and ability on the night of 21st February 1915, at Ypres. When a German patrol of about 20 men approached his trench from the rear and opened fire, he collected a few men and dispersed them at point blank range.’

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

George Williams resided at Rasen Lane, Lincoln and was employed as a Blacksmith. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, during the Second Boer War. Williams transferred to the 1st Battalion, and served with them during the Great War. Having advanced to Corporal, WiIliams served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 6 September 1914. The Lincoln Leader of June 1915 adds the following:

‘Amongst the list of Lincolnshire heroes who have been fortunate enough to gain the D.C.M., as mentioned in the latest despatch from Field Marshal Sir John French, appears the name of Acting Lance-Corpl. George Willams (4940).

Born at Upton some 35 years ago, Williams came to Lincoln in the early part of his life, and soon joined the Lincolnshire Regiment. During the South African campaign he won two medals for services at Paardeburg, and the Relief of Kimberley. He was on reserve for several years, and when the war broke out in August last was called up to serve with his old regiment, but, as his wife tells us, if he had not been on the reserve he would have volunteered to go, so eager was he to serve his country in her hour of need. Going to Grimsby for two or three weeks’ training he was drafted to the front with the 1st Battalion, and was soon in the thick of the fighting. Most of our readers will, no doubt, be able to form an idea of what our soldiers suffered during this winter campaign, and Corpl. Williams endured those hardships and perils wonderfully well, only having a touch of rheumatics.

On the 11th June he wrote a letter to his wife: “I have some pleasant news for you; I have received the D.C.M. I got to know only yesterday, and I get this medal presented to me by the King and I also get £20.” ‘

Williams served with ‘B’ Company, and The History of The Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918, adds the following for his gallantry at Ypres:

‘During January, and part of February, the 1st Lincolnshire were in a comparatively quiet part of the line east of Kemmel.... On the 17th February the battalion, with the rest of the 9th Brigade, was ordered to Ypres to relive troops in that area. Two other brigades were ordered up at the same time to take the place of a division which needed a rest. The Lincolnshire moved into their new trenches on the 21st. B Company (Captain Boys) found theirs to be a thoroughly untenable ditch, up to the knees in mud and water. The Germans at one point were actually in the same trench, an interval of fifteen yards separating the Lincolnshire and the Germans, with traverses between. In places the Germans were actually in rear, and sentries had to be posted to the rear as well as to the front.

B Company held the left of the line, and C Company lost eleven men killed (shot through the head) in the first half-hour, and later a German raid took place in rear of our trench. The Lincolnshire set to work with a will to improve the line, and the Germans made no more attempts to shoot our men in the back. When the battalion was relieved, our line was like a fortress.’

Williams was presented with the riband for his D.C.M. by the Divisional Commander, Major-General J. A. L. Haldane, on 12 June 1915. He served as Company Sergeant Major with the 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, after the war and was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in October 1930.

Approximately 35 ‘Relief of Kimberley’ clasps to the Regiment.

Sold with recipient’s Certificate of Discharge from the Territorial Army; a group photograph, and several photographic images of recipient in uniform.