Wednesday July 24^th, 1918

Tenth day defaulters. Fairly fine today. Feeling rather better from rheumatics. Worked hard all day.

Brigadier General Williams (1881-1955)

The commander of the 199th Brigade is Brigadier General Guy Charles Williams. Born in India and educated at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich he joined the Royal Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant. Rising rapidly through the ranks, Williams saw active service in the Second Boer War and both World Wars before retiring in 1941.²

His service record in WWI was impressive.  Williams was mentioned in dispatches seven times and awarded the DSO in 1915¹ while a Captain and Brevet Major of the 173rd (Tunnelling) Company of the Royal Engineers.  His citation read:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in France. He pushed his advanced galleries through those of the enemy, thereby successfully carrying out mining operations.

From the commencement of this dangerous and difficult operation Major Williams directed and controlled the work with great forethought and daring, which alone enabled an almost unique result to be obtained.’º

In February 1917, Major  (Temp Lt-Col) Williams was awarded the Order of St Stanislas, 3rd class (with Swords).†  This was an honour of the Russian Empire, which fell to revolution the following month.  In 1918, he was appointed commander of 199th Brigade of the 66th Division, where he had previously been the Commander Royal Engineers (CRE).

Post Script

Between the wars he will hold a variety of posts. These include Deputy Military Secretary at the War Office, Commander of the 8th Brigade, and Commandant of the Staff College, Quetta in India. By 1937 he will be General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 5th Division.  Williams will be knighted in June 1939.

During the early years of WWII he will become GOC Eastern Command. In 1941, he assumes the role of Military Adviser to New Zealand just before he retires.

13^th (Service) Battalion War Diary – 24^th July 1918 – Haudricourt, France   

Specialist training as yesterday. 1 Officer and 60 OR working on rifle range near camp. Remainder of Battalion digging bombardment slits.

References & Further Reading

¹ Sir Guy Charles Williams on Wikipedia

² Brigadier General GC Williams thread on the Manchesters website

º Edinburgh Gazette, November 2^nd, 1915, issue 12867, page 1632

† Edinburgh Gazette, February 19th, 1917, issue 13053, page 378

* image of Sir Guy Charles Williams from the National Portrait Gallery, under creative commons licence