John Williams (?1857-November 25, 1932) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 21 years old, and a Private in the 2nd Bn., 24th Regiment (later The South Wales Borderers) , British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22/23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Private Williams and two other men held a distant room of the hospital for more than an hour until they had no ammunition left, when the Zulus burst in and killed one of the men and two patients. Meanwhile Private Williams had succeeded in knocking a hole in the partition and took the two remaining patients through into the next ward. He was there joined by another man (Alfred Henry Hook), and working together (one holding the enemy at bayonet point while the other broke through three more partitions) they were able to bring eight patients into the inner line of defence.

Further information

Born John FIELDING. Later achieved the rank of Sergeant.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).

Reference

• (W.G. Lloyd, 1993)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

See also

External links

• John Williams (Fielding) (biography, photos, memorial details)
• Location of grave and VC medal (Gwent, Wales)
• Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.