Alexander John Williams
RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.Alexander (Alex) John Williams was born in Telowie near Port Germein, South Australia on the 8th June 1895 to William and Mary Williams (nee Kay).
After leaving school, Alex went into the butchering trade with his father and was 20 years of age when he enlisted for overseas service in the Great War on the 1st September 1915.
Driver Alexander John Williams, Service Number 303, (the irony) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A13 Katuna on the 11th November 1915 with 32nd Infantry Battalion - Transport Section.
On the 11th March 1916 he was taken on strength of the 8th Machine Gun Company from the 32nd Battalion. He attained the rank of corporal and was engaged in most of the major battles of the war including Fromelles, The Somme, Pozières, Flers, Bapaume, Ypres and Villers-Bretonneux. He also saw service in Egypt before going to France and Belgium.
Alex was decorated for bravery in the face of the enemy with the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War); a military decoration of the Kingdom of Belgium on the 9th October 1918 where his citation read:
“During the recent operations from the 28th September to the 2nd October this N.C.O. (non-commissioned officer) has shown the greatest courage and devotion to his duty. He handled his transport with efficiency and great gallantry, never failing to fulfil his duty. He has several times brought rations and ammunition up to the gun teams under circumstances verging on the impossible and by his coolness and courage inspired his men to the greatest of efforts. His conduct has always been worthy of the highest praise.”
A.K. Flack Machine Gun Captain, Officer in Charge, 8th Australian Machine Gun Company, 5th Australian Machine Gun Battalion.”
Alex was gassed on three occasions during his term of service which totalled three years and 323 days. Alexander returned to Australia on the 13th April 1919 where he went to Port Pirie, where his father and brothers had settled, but later joined the South Australian Police force, being stationed at Virginia, Nairne, Orroroo, Marree, Quorn and Port Augusta. In 1922 he won the amateur wrestling championship medal at the police barracks.
The effect of his war service caused his retirement from the police service, and for a time he was at Kalyra and Angorichina. He went to Port Pirie again but was later removed to Northfield Hospital, Adelaide where he passed away on the 16th July 1935 after a lingering illness.
Returned soldiers, relatives, and friends paid their final tribute to Alexander as his body was interred in Port Pirie Cemetery.
The coffin was covered with a Union Jack, and the hearse was heaped with wreaths or beautiful flowers, returned men were among the pallbearers. Mr. W. Stratford sounded "The Last Post" at the graveside and Reverend G. W. Scholefield conducted an impressive service.
Lest We Forget
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