Auction Catalogue

12 November 2020

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 70

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12 November 2020

Hammer Price:
£1,300

A fine Great War ‘1918’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private E. V. Williams, 15th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who as part of a section of 9 attacked and captured a German position taking 45 prisoners and 3 machine guns - by the end of the action, Williams was the only man of the section not killed or wounded and he single-handedly held the position and prisoners until help could reach him

Military Medal, G.V.R. (6858 Pte E. V. Williams 15/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (6858 Pte. E. V. Williams. 15-Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, very fine (3) £700-£900

M.M. London 17 July 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on enemy positions East of Jeancourt on 18th September 1918 N.W. of St. Quentin. He was one of the section consisting of one N.C.O. and eight other ranks which rushed an enemy post and captured its’ garrison consisting of 45 men and 3 MGs. In dashing at this post under deadly hostile fire, four of his section were killed and three wounded. The Section Commander and himself eventually succeeded in capturing the position, but upon prisoners seeing they were only two in number, a German N.C.O. shot his Section Commander and killed him. Pte Williams immediately shot the German N.C.O. and held the remainder until further assistance reached him. Throughout the advance he was continually noted for his pluck and dash. His bravery in this action inspired his comrades and is worthy of an award.’

E. V. Williams was born in Mount Usher, Queensland, Australia, in 1898. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Rockhampton, 9 October 1916. Williams served with the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from June 1917. He distinguished himself during operations east of Jeancourt, Aisne, 18 September 1918, when the Battalion carried out a successful attack capturing over 400 prisoners, 28 machine guns, 3 Minenwerfers and 20 field guns.

Williams returned to Australia in August 1919, and was discharged in October of the same year. He re-engaged for service during the Second War, 10 November 1939, and was discharged as Warrant Officer I, 17 June 1940.