- SURNAME
Williams
- FORENAME
John (Drummie)
- UNIT
2 Para (B Company)
- RANK
Warrant Officer Second Class (C.S.M.)
- NUMBER
22290559
- AWARD
Distinguished Conduct Medal
- PLACE
Borneo 1965
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 11.8.1934
enlisted as bandsman 1949
Army School of Music 1950
transferred from regimental band to infantry 1954
Sergeant 1956
WIA 25.4.1965 Plaman Mapu, Borneo
later 2 Para (RSM)
commissioned 1971
Staff Quartermaster (Lt Col),Army Staff College, Camberley 1983-89
award M.B.E. 1983
retired 1989
married Joanna (1 daughter)
died 11.1.2002
London Gazette 43837, 10th December 1965, Page 11677
CITATION:
Distinguished Conduct Medal : In the early morning of the 27th April 1965, Company Sergeant Major Williams was in his company base defended only by the Company Headquarters, a mortar section and one weak platoon of young soldiers, when they came under heavy attack by a force of Indonesian infantry more than 150 strong who were powerfully supported by rocket launchers, mortars, rifle grenades and machine guns from the surrounding hills.
The position was vulnerable and overlooked, the enemy fire intense and accurate, and there were several casualties. Company Sergeant Major Williams immediately took charge of the defence, controlled the defensive fire and steadied the young soldiers who were defending the base. He then moved round the position with complete disregard for his own safety, attending to the wounded, reorganising sections to meet each attack and, at one stage, took over a two inch mortar from the wounded mortarman and fired illuminating bombs to light up the battlefield.
The enemy assault was rapid and determined, penetrated the inner wire and carried a mortar pit. A quickly organised section counter-attack had several casualties and was pinned down by enemy fire. Company Sergeant Major Williams then ran across the open ground under heavy fire to man a machine gun position from which he could fire into the mortar pit—and it was under cover of his fire that the enemy were ejected.
A second attack then developed directly against Company Sergeant Major Williams' position and he found himself under heavy fire from automatic weapons and rocket launchers at point black range. He, himself, was hit by splinters and blinded in one eye, the radio set by his side was hit and the weapon he was using received direct hits on two occasions. He nevertheless continued to engage the enemy and was instrumental in breaking up the attack that had been pressed with fanatical determination. He killed one enemy soldier, who had a rocket launcher, within a few feet of his post.
He then reorganised the position, reported to his company commander and immediately took out a patrol to attack two more enemy parties which had again approached the perimeter. On his return, he was ordered to lie down and receive medical attention for his eye.
Throughout the whole action, Company Sergeant Major Williams showed outstanding bravery and devotion to duty, continually moving from one post to another under heavy fire—reorganising the defence, directing fire, carrying ammunition, attending the wounded, inspiring the men and setting a magnificent example to all ranks. The successful defence of the position against great odds was largely due to his courage, his example and leadership and to his own direct intervention in the battle at every crisis and at every point of maximum danger.
Place : Plaman Mapu, Sarawak
Date of Action : 27th April 1965
How Employed : Company Sergeant Major, B Company, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
The position was vulnerable and overlooked, the enemy fire intense and accurate, and there were several casualties. Company Sergeant Major Williams immediately took charge of the defence, controlled the defensive fire and steadied the young soldiers who were defending the base. He then moved round the position with complete disregard for his own safety, attending to the wounded, reorganising sections to meet each attack and, at one stage, took over a two inch mortar from the wounded mortarman and fired illuminating bombs to light up the battlefield.
The enemy assault was rapid and determined, penetrated the inner wire and carried a mortar pit. A quickly organised section counter-attack had several casualties and was pinned down by enemy fire. Company Sergeant Major Williams then ran across the open ground under heavy fire to man a machine gun position from which he could fire into the mortar pit—and it was under cover of his fire that the enemy were ejected.
A second attack then developed directly against Company Sergeant Major Williams' position and he found himself under heavy fire from automatic weapons and rocket launchers at point black range. He, himself, was hit by splinters and blinded in one eye, the radio set by his side was hit and the weapon he was using received direct hits on two occasions. He nevertheless continued to engage the enemy and was instrumental in breaking up the attack that had been pressed with fanatical determination. He killed one enemy soldier, who had a rocket launcher, within a few feet of his post.
He then reorganised the position, reported to his company commander and immediately took out a patrol to attack two more enemy parties which had again approached the perimeter. On his return, he was ordered to lie down and receive medical attention for his eye.
Throughout the whole action, Company Sergeant Major Williams showed outstanding bravery and devotion to duty, continually moving from one post to another under heavy fire—reorganising the defence, directing fire, carrying ammunition, attending the wounded, inspiring the men and setting a magnificent example to all ranks. The successful defence of the position against great odds was largely due to his courage, his example and leadership and to his own direct intervention in the battle at every crisis and at every point of maximum danger.
Place : Plaman Mapu, Sarawak
Date of Action : 27th April 1965
How Employed : Company Sergeant Major, B Company, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/43837/supplement/11677https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623529
NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623529
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