William Williams

Held the gun port shut and kept a torpedoed Q-ship disguised

William Williams, VC, DSM & Bar, was a Welsh Royal Naval Reserve sailor whose courage aboard HMS Pargust helped destroy a German submarine during the First World War. He received three British gallantry awards for actions within six months in 1917.

Born on 5 October 1890 at Amlwch Port, Anglesey, Williams worked in merchant sailing ships before joining the Royal Naval Reserve on 29 September 1914. Mobilized on 2 October, he later served under Gordon Campbell aboard disguised armed vessels known as Q-ships. These vessels lured enemy submarines into vulnerable positions by appearing to be unprotected merchant ships.

On 17 February 1917, Williams participated in HMS Farnborough's action against U-83 off western Ireland, earning the Distinguished Service Medal. His most celebrated act followed on 7 June 1917, when HMS Pargust was torpedoed in the North Atlantic. The explosion threatened to expose a concealed gun. For more than half an hour, Seaman Williams held the damaged starboard gun port in position while the crew maintained its deception. When UC-29 approached, Pargust opened fire and sank it.

The ship's company selected Williams to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, while Lieutenant Ronald Neil Stuart was selected by the officers. King George V invested Williams with his VC on 21 July 1917.

Williams earned a Bar to his Distinguished Service Medal for his gunnery service aboard HMS Dunraven during its prolonged engagement with UC-71 in the Bay of Biscay on 8 August 1917. Dunraven was ultimately lost; UC-71 was not sunk in the action. He also received France's Médaille militaire.

Williams continued in Q-ship service before being medically discharged from the Royal Naval Reserve on 6 November 1918 as a Leading Seaman. He returned to maritime and shore-based employment at Holyhead and became a founder member of the local British Legion branch.

He died at Holyhead on 23 October 1965. His documented medal group includes his VC, DSM and Bar, First World War service medals, Defence Medal, two coronation medals and French Médaille militaire. The qualifying service for his Defence Medal remains to be established.

Official Victoria Cross award notification:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals to Officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines: To receive the Victoria Cross. Lieut. Ronald Neil Stuart, D.S.O., R.N.R. Sea. William Williams, R.N.R., O.N. 6224A. Lieutenant Stuart and Seaman Williams were selected by the officers and ship’s company respectively of one of H.M. Ships to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated the 29th January, 1856.