Family Search: When Company Sergeant-Major George Henry Williams was born on 21 May 1892, in Wantage, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom, his father, Joseph Williams, was 50 and his mother, Martha Willoughby, was 47. He married Anne Gertrude Coulter on 25 December 1914, in Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada. He immigrated to Canada in 1913 and lived in Ruscombe, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom in 1901 and Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada in 1922. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1914, at the age of 22, his occupation is listed as locomotive fireman in Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada. He died in 1972, at the age of 80, and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada.
May have been born 1893 but attested to being born in 1890. Marriage licence indicates 1892.
53631 C.S.M G.H. Williams, M.M., Inf. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in organizing a new line after the trench had been destroyed by an enemy barrage. During a heavy bombardment he succeeded in establishing communication with the company on his right. He was untiring in his efforts in getting rations up to the front line and guiding stretcher parties.
The London Gazette Publication date:26 March 1918 Supplement:30601 Page:3890
CBC Radio Show. Chapter 7: In Flanders Fields. Interview with George Henry Wilson.
Narrator:
This milling about, this uncertain fumbling attach and counter-attack could go on for weeks. And ultimately end in failure and frustration. On the nigh of the 6th – 7th [year unknown at this time] the Fourth Brigade relieved the shattered Sixth.
Williams, George of the 18th Battalion:
When they sent us up there they didn’t know where the Germans where. They said, “You go up there, you’ll find where the trenches is.” Dark night we went up there. There was no trenches. I forget how many days we were there. We were never told when to come out and nobody came to use. We stayed there so long I said to this Corporal, “You’d better go out and see what the score is.” Well he went out and came back to relieve us, you see. When we got out our Battalion was away back of the line and I met our Sergeant Major and he says, “Where have you been? You’re put in as captured.” I said, “Well we’re here, all my men but one. One was killed.” And they couldn’t believe I had come out.
Report on Enemy Raid on No. 11 Platoon 18th Batt. Frontage Night of May 27th – 28th, 1917
Time: 12:45 a.m.
Received orders from C.S.M. Williams to post covering party of six men to protect a B. Co. wiring party on the left flank.
Sgt. F.G. Kenee, 675067 [KIA 10/11/17 in Passchendaele]and myself had just placed party when enemy barrage opened on our lines. Immediately afterwards our own barrage replied. Instantly I gave order to return to our lines. Three men failed to reach our line. Time about 11 p.m.
About 3 minutes afterwards enemy party of 20 to 30 strong was seen making towards our wire on our left flank. Platoon opened up with rifle fire. One man of enemy party shouted an order and enemy retired at the double. Only one red flare was fired on our platoon frontage.
Immediately after bombardment quietened I organized search party of three men and S.B. to search for missing men. Only trace of men was two rifles which they found in a shell hole in front of our wire.
(Signed) Corp. L. Skilton No. 409644
Earned the Military Medal for “Bravery in the Field” during the actions at the Somme September 1916.
Appendix to October 1916 War Diary outlining the soldiers who won decorations from Septembers 1916 action on the Somme Front.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 