Corporal
Royal Field Artillery | 84055 | 20th Divisional Artillery Column |
Photos courtesy Margaret Suddes
Biography
Albert, born in Birmingham in 1894, was the son of George and Louisa Williams who lived at Sawmills before they moved to Cromford Road, Crich. Before he joined the Royal Field Artillery he worked at Ambergate Wireworks. He enlisted at Derby in January 1915 and entered France in the July of that year. He was awarded the Military Medal in April 1918 before being demobbed in February 1919.
Albert as a Bombadier with Myra Hayes whom he married in June 1920
Medal Roll Index card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals.
Entered France 24 July 1915
Army Service Record
Enlisted 21 Jan 1915 at Derby; address Sawmills, aged 20years 7 months; wiredrawer
. Height 5ft 7½; weight 120lb. Next of kin his father George Richard Williams
21 Jan 15 Posted at Glasgow
21 Jan 15 to 22 Jul 17 Home
23 Jul 15 to 15 Feb 19 France
16 Feb 19 Home
17 Mar 15 Posted gunner
No 6 Depot
16 Mar 16 Acting Bdr
28 Mar 17 Promoted Bdr
30 Apr 17 Promoted Cprl
13 Dec 18 to 27 Dec 18 Leave to UK via Boulogne; 14 days rail allowance
16 Feb 19 Demobbed
Military Medal for Bravery in the Field
Letter dated 4.4.18; 20th Division N0. A/9473
O/C D.A.C.
I have much pleasure in bringing to your notice No.84055 Cpl. A. Williams, No.3 Section D.A.C.
This N.C.O. was in charge of a complete Sub-section during the whole of the recent operations, between St.Quentia and Domsat-Sur-La-Luce, and kept the entire front line supplied with S.A.A. Ammunition, Lewis and Vickers Guns, Belts and Drums.
He carried out his duties in a conspicuously gallant manner. and materially aided the Battalions holding the line under very critical circumstances; he worked untiringly day and night,setting a splendid example to thos under him.
I should be very grateful if he may officially informed of our appreciation.
(signed) H. Muller, Lieut:Colonel
A.A. & Q.M.G. 20th Division
Memorabilia
Albert received a commendation certificate which read:
20th (Light) Division.
The Major-General Commanding 20th (Light) Division has received a report of the gallant conduct of 84055, Corpl. A. Williams, No. 3 Section, 20th D.A.C. from 21st March to 1st April between ST. QUENTIN and DOMART-SUR-LA-LUCE, in working untiringly day and night during the whole of this period keeping units in the fighting line supplied with small arms ammunition, setting a splendid example to those under him and he wishes to congratulate him on his fine behaviour.
GG Slaney Major General Commanding 20th (Light) Division
Unknown newspaper clipping
Corpl. Albert Williams, D.A.C., third son of Mr and Mrs George Williams, Saw Mills, Ambergate, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct in the field. On the first day of the big offensive and for nine consecutive days Corpl Williams worked day and night in supplying the guns with ammunition. In civil life he was employed as a wire drawer at the Ambergate Wire Mills, voluntarily enlisting in January 1915, and went to France in July of the same year. Up to the present he has come through scathless (sic). Corpl. Williams is 24 years of age.
Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press, 31 May 1918
SAWMILLS MILITARY MEDALLIST
CORPL ALBERT WILLIAMS MM of Sawmills
Divisional Ammunition Column
We offer congratulations to Corpl Albert Williams DAC, third son of Mr and Mrs Geo. Williams, of Sawmills, on obtaining the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished conduct on the field of battle during the great push. On the first day of the offensive and for nine consecutive days, Corpl Williams worked day and night in supplying the guns with ammunition. In civil life he was employed as a wire-drawer at Ambergate Wire Works, volunteering for service in January, 1915
Albert wanted to receive his Military Medal at his place of work, Johnson and Nephew Wireworks, Ambergate.
Derbyshire Courier, 29 November 1919
The employees at the firm of Messrs. Johnson and Nephew, wire manufacturers of Ambergate, celebrated the peace with, "Victory sports" and tea on Saturday.
The athletic program included a tug of war, a race for foreman and officials, and a football competition between the various shops. Between 600 and 700 guests sat down to tea, and afterwards the prizes were distributed by Mrs Herbert A.gJohnson, Allestree Hall, to whom a hearty vote of thanks was passed on the proposition of Mr T. Key, seconded by Mr T. Butt, Jr. in the course of the evening Colonel H.A. Johnson presented the Military Medal to one of the firm's employees, Corporal Albert Williams.
Mr W. Glossop's string band played selections whilst tea was being served, and also took part in the entertainment which followed. Others who contributed to the programme were Madame Kate Shipley, Madame Tugwell Fox, Mr Fox, Mr Robert Oliver, Mr Bert Holbridge, and Mr J. Weaving. The accompaniments were played by Mr H. Kirk. Each man received a box of cigarettes and the women guests were presented with boxes of sweets.
Like many servicemen Albert sent home cards, many of which were sentimental and beautifully created.
After the war Albert was very heavily involved with village activities. He died on 4th June 1970 aged seventy-six and his obituary summed up his life.
Unknown cutting June 1970
A FORGOTTEN HERO PASSES ON
On Tuesday, last week was laid to rest the late Albert Williams, M.M. of 10 Cromford Road, Crich. Although he was born in Birmingham his parents came to reside at Ambergate when he was three years of age and later came to reside at Moseley Street, Ripley, during the first Great World War 1914-18.
The late Corporal Williams volunteered for active service early on and was sent to the Maryhill Barracks Glasgow. He saw service in many of the epic wars at Arras, Cambrai, the Somme, Ypres, and St Quentin. It was in 1918 that he gained his military medal.
The citation re the winning of this medal reads as follows: “20th Light Division. Gallant conduct of 84055 Corporal A. Williams, No. 3 Section 20th D.A.C. from 21st of March to 1st April, 1918, between St Quentin and Domart Sur-La-Luce in working untiringly day and night during the whole of this period setting a splendid example to those under him.” It was the proud boast of the late Albert Williams, that during the whole of his active service he never lost a man who was under his command.
After the war Corporal A. Williams married Myra Hayes of Crich and they settled down in Crich, where Albert Williams was a legendary figure. He took an active part in all the carnivals organised to raise funds for the hospitals. He represented Crich on the Belper Rural District Council with distinction for a number of years. He was also a prominent member of Crich Parish Council and its chairman.
For a number of years he was a prominent member of Crich schools and chairman of the Evergreen Club. In this time Albert Williams played many parts and his aim was to be of service to his fellow man. This modest hero will long be remembered and revered by those who had the privilege to know him.
After the death of his wife he was well cared for by Miss Emma Greenhough, his son Clarence, and his daughters Lorna and Janet. Many of his friends came to pay him tribute at Crich Parish Cemetery. In his passing, we have lost a great hero, a staunch Labour supporter and a loyal comrade. We salute his memory and deeply mourn his passing.
WM. H. EMMAS-WILLIAMS
Front Lines Event 11 November 2014
The following monologue by Martyn Offord was read at the November 2014 "Crich Front Lines" memorial event in the Glebe Field Centre in honour of Albert Williams.
Woke 04.45….bombardment………..earth exploding all around
Bombarding supply lines….. trying to stop me doing my job
Carts turned over…mules thrashing about and screaming…nothing will stop me…
I’ll show them what the men of Cromford Road and the 20th Division are made of
Hitting front line with gas…..drifting our way……must get mask on….
Can’t find anything…can’t see anything….thick fog…smoke…gas
Barbed wire…bet this is the stuff we made at Ambergate
Groping about for supplies……needed at front
Telephone wires cut – don’t know where anyone is or what they want
Suddenly through my screen……..a runner
Bad news….Boche has broken through all over the place
Units surrounded…running out of ammo….
Runner got lost ….straight into Hun coming from behind……turned and ran back into gas cloud
Need Lewis guns, Vickers, ammo belts at front
Doesn’t know where front is….maybe there isn’t a front…seems everyone firing and stabbing into fog…..no idea where anyone else is
Another runner….Apparently Boche have crossed Crozat Canal….huge casualties
Taking ammo to where needed…lost sense of direction….
Some big bangs…must be blowing the bridges
Third day – everyone exhausted
Must scrape a few carts together…what’s left of the mules
Don’t know where to take it – remnants of divisions all mixed up…
Don’t know who’s in command…some stranded behind German lines
Must send supplies backwards now….mules bogged down in mud
Sent men to see what was left in supply dumps…apparently Germans have found some of them
Seem more interested in our food supplies than anything else
A lad here says they’ve brought up some Kiwis and Whippet tanks
Boche exhausted…reinforcements and new artillery getting through to us…
Well what d’you know. Lieutenant-Colonel Muller is recommending me for Military Medal.
I’d like to be presented with my medal back home at work - at Johnson and Nephew Wireworks. I think I’ll need a new uniform though. I don’t think the boss will be impressed with the state I’m in now.
1901: Sawmills
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George R | Williams | Head | 34 | Wood sawyer | Birmingham |
Louisa | Williams | wife | 32 | Birmingham | |
George H. | Williams | son | 12 | Birmingham | |
Charles R. | Williams | son | 11 | Birmingham | |
Lily Eliz. | Williams | daughter | 10 | Birmingham | |
Albert | Williams | son | 6 | Birmingham | |
Thomas | Williams | son | 4 | Heage | |
Ernest | Williams | son | 1 | Heage | |
Wilfred | Williams | son | 8 mo | Heage | |
Harriet J. | Wesley | sister in law | 22 | wood polisher | Birmingham |
RG13 piece 3230 folio 97 page 16
1911: Sawmills
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George Richard | Williams | Head | 44 | Wood sawyer | Birmingham |
Louisa Polly | Williams | wife | 32 | Birmingham | |
George Henry | Williams | son | 22 | Wire drawer | Birmingham |
Lily Elizabeth | Williams | daughter | 20 | Wood polisher | Birmingham |
Albert | Williams | son | 16 | Wire drawer | Birmingham |
Thomas | Williams | son | 14 | Pit worker | Sawmills |
Ernest | Williams | son | 11 | School | Sawmills |
Wilfred | Williams | son | 10 | School | Sawmills |
Elsie May | Williams | daughter | 6 | School | Sawmills |
RG14PN20986 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED15 SN168
The family moved from Sawmills to Cromford Road, Crich.
1939 Register: Rock Terrace, Crich
Albert Williams b.2 May 1894; steel wire drawer heavy work
Myra Williams b.2 January 1896
Clarance A Williams b.24 September 1925; school
two closed records