Owen Williams, Royal Engineers (Australia)

The 2nd Division was formed in Egypt July 1915 and moved to Gallipoli in August, serving there until the withdrawal to Egypt in December 1915. In March 1916 it moved to France, taking over part of the "nursery" sector around Armentieres. On 27 July 1916, it relieved the First Division at Pozieres and captured the Pozieres Heights at great cost. Two more tours of the Somme followed in August and November. In March 1917 a flying column of the Second Division pursued the Germans to the Hindenburg Line. At Lagnicourt on 15 April 1917, it was struck by a powerful German counterattack, which it repelled. On 3 May 1917 the Division assaulted the Hindenburg Line in the Second Battle of Bullecourt, holding the breach thus gained against furious counterattacks. During the Third Battle of Ypres, it fought with great success at Menin Road in September and Broodeseinde in October. In March 1918 the Second Division helped halt the German offensive in the Somme region and fought in the Battle of Hamel in July and the Battle of Amiens in August. In September 1918 it took Mont Saint Quentin. It fought on to the Hindenburg Line and beyond, becoming the last division to be withdrawn.He enlisted on 13 July 1915 at Broadmedows, Melbourne, Victoria. He was previously employed as a Steel Erector. He was taken onto the strength of the 21st Infantry Battalion at Tel-el-K in Egypt on 14 February 1916. He transferred to the 6th Field Company Engineers and left Egypt for France, arriving at Marseilles on 27 March 1916. On 27 July 1916 he was wounded in action and received a gunshot wound to his right side and buttock. The War Diary records that at this time the Battalion was located in the Albert area at Sausage Valley and was, on the night of 27/28 July, "engaged in digging communication trenches in the 6th Infantry Brigade Area, approaching Poiseres ...... Casualties, 3 OR's killed, 1 Officer and 6 OR's wounded." Sapper Williams' wound was considered serious and he was evacuated to the UK and arrived at No.5 Northern General Hospital, Leicester on 13 August 1916. On recovering from his wound he rejoined his company on 14 December 1916. On 9 October 1918 he went on leave to the UK and returned on 29 October 1918. On 1 November 1918 he was admitted to the 7th AFA with Influenza. He was transferred to the 3rd Australian Stationary General Hospital at Abbeville on 6 November 1918. He died here of Broncho Pneumonia on 20 November 1918.

In his Will (dated 14 July 1917), he left half of his money and personal belongings to his mother and the rest of his money to his cousin, Annie Evaline Owen, 208 Canning Street, Carlton, Victoria.

Born at Holyhead, the son of Owen and Catherine Ellen Williams (nee Owens) of 7 Hibernia Row, Holyhead. He had arrived in Australia prior to 1911. In 1911 his family lived at 11 George Street, Holyhead. His father, Owen Williams (54) was employed as a Trinity House Pilot. Others in the house included his mother, Catherine Ellen Williams (49) and his siblings - Thomas William Williams (28), a Seaman; Robert J Williams (22) also a Seaman; Ann Ellen Williams (19); David Williams (17); Margaret Williams (15); Dorothy Amy Williams (10) and Blodwen Williams (6). Other siblings living elsewhere included Hugh P Williams (22) and Mary C Williams (27). All were born at Holyhead. The family had previously lived at Harp Street, Holyhead (1891).

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, grave location V.D.37. Also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial, Panel 25.