Description
Physical description
medal, ribbon and cardboard case
Label
Sergeant G W Williams was serving as an Observer with No 272 Squadron when he was awarded an 'Immediate' DFM (LG 29 Dec 1942).
The citation gives the following information: 'On 15th August 1942, the Beaufighter of which he was Observer was attacked by an Me109F. The enemy aircraft carried out four attacks during which Sergeant Williams fought with his Vickers gun and directed his pilot's evasive actions with great coolness. When the fighter eventually broke away, the Beaufighter was badly damaged and on fire at the rear while both pilot and Observer were wounded. Ignoring his own wounds, Sergeant Williams went forward to tend his pilot, revived him with water, encouraged him and went back to fight the fire. The whole of the fuselage was filled with smoke and Verey cartridges were exploding but Sergeant Williams tackled the fire systematically, jettisoning what he could and beating out flames with his parachute harness which was destroyed in the process. He at length isolated the fire in the Observer's hatch and finally extinguished it. Sergeant Williams went forward to his pilot who was faint with shock and loss of blood. He dressed his pilot's wounds, gave him water and stood by him until the aircraft was safely landed at base. There is no doubt that but for Sergeant Williams' courage, determination and devotion to duty, the aircraft would never have reached base.'
Flight Lieutenant George William Williams DFC DFM RAFVR. (1914-1988). Awarded the DFC 3rd October 1944 ('London Gazette' page number 4541) while serving with No 613 Squadron. Williams was an Observer/Air Gunner. In 1944 he was serving as Navigator on Mosquitos. IWM's Department of Documents holds a Log Book and other interesting documents covering this officer's service with 272 Squadron in the Middle East.
History note
Sergeant G W Williams was serving as an Observer with No 272 Squadron when he was awarded an 'Immediate' DFM (LG 29 Dec 1942).
The citation gives the following information: 'On 15th August 1942, the Beaufighter of which he was Observer was attacked by an Me109F. The enemy aircraft carried out four attacks during which Sergeant Williams fought with his Vickers gun and directed his pilot's evasive actions with great coolness. When the fighter eventually broke away, the Beaufighter was badly damaged and on fire at the rear while both pilot and Observer were wounded. Ignoring his own wounds, Sergeant Williams went forward to tend his pilot, revived him with water, encouraged him and went back to fight the fire. The whole of the fuselage was filled with smoke and Verey cartridges were exploding but Sergeant Williams tackled the fire systematically, jettisoning what he could and beating out flames with his parachute harness which was destroyed in the process. He at length isolated the fire in the Observer's hatch and finally extinguished it. Sergeant Williams went forward to his pilot who was faint with shock and loss of blood. He dressed his pilot's wounds, gave him water and stood by him until the aircraft was safely landed at base. There is no doubt that but for Sergeant Williams' courage, determination and devotion to duty, the aircraft would never have reached base.'
Flight Lieutenant George William Williams DFC DFM RAFVR. (1914-1988). Awarded the DFC 3rd October 1944 ('London Gazette' page number 4541) while serving with No 613 Squadron. Williams was an Observer/Air Gunner. In 1944 he was serving as Navigator on Mosquitos. See IWM's Department of Documents for his service with 272 Squadron in the Middle East.
Inscribed on rim
911854 SGT. G.W.WILLIAMS. R.A.F.