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The first of William Williams’ gallantry awards was the Distinguished Service Medal, received on 17th of February 1916, for his part in the sinking of German U boat U-83 on Q Ship HMS Farnborough.

The ‘U-boat menace’ was a German submarine tactic, intended to cut off supplies to Great Britain by targeting merchant navy ships during both World Wars.

The British Royal Navy, used Q-boats as a countermeasure. Q-ships appeared to be standard merchant navy ships, but were actually heavily equipped with concealed weaponry, luring the German U-boats and then counter attacking them.

Q ships would set out along the coast to be attacked in the hope of luring U- boats to reveal their position and rise to the surface. Once revealed, within range, Q ships could use the element of surprise to their advantage, and open fire.

The Victoria Cross was his second and most prestigious gallantry award, for his vital contribution to the sinking of UC-29 on the 7th of June 1917 on HMS Pargust.

Pargust set out to be torpedoed to the West of Valentia Island, Ireland. Luring the enemy into close range for attack, Pargust was torpedoed by the German submarine UC-29.

The ‘panic party’ proceeded to abandon ship, to create the illusion that the ship was unmanned, meanwhile leaving men concealed on board. Rattled by the torpedo, the weights holding the disguised gun port became loose and were in danger of being exposed to the submarine.

Williams Williams knew that if UC- 29 had seen the exposed gun port, their cover would be blown, and surely torpedoed again immediately. He held the heavy gun port in place for some 30 minutes until the U boat surfaced. At the vital moment, VC Commander Gorden Campbell VC gave the order to open fire, the German submarine was blown up and sank/sunk.

HMS Pargust was the first ship to receive the Victoria Cross for collective gallantry under Rule 13 by King George V. These were later known as the ‘Mystery VC’s’. Commander Gordon Campbell had previously received the Victoria Cross for tackling a U-boat and therefore arranged a secret ballet, where Williams was voted to receive the Victoria Cross by his comrades.

Williams continued his service and was awarded the Bar to Distinguished Service Medal and Medaille Militaire serving on HMS Dunraven for his actions against UC-71 on 8th of August 1917.

After his service in WW1 he returned home to Amlwch, Anglesey to a hero’s welcome, surrounded by hundreds of people. He was awarded, by the people of Amlwch a gold watch and a local housing estate named after him; Maes William Williams VC.

He later settled in Holyhead and was a founder member of the British Legion.

Location: 13 Station Road, Valley, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 3EW and Maes William Williams VC, Amlwch, LL68 9DS
Images courtesy of Neil Williams and Brian Sayle Photography

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