The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Williams, Frederick Emanuel Rank: Corporal Service No: 2735799 Regiment: 3 Battalion Welsh Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 February 1945 Date 1944-1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/9 1st Guards Brigade, 6th Armoured Division, 13 Corps 2735799 Corporal, Lance-Serjeant Frederick Emanuel WILLIAMS, 3rd Battalion WELSH GUARDS Date: 6th September 1944. Map Ref: CIGLIANO 043736, Sheet 107/III, 1/25,000, ITALY. This Lance-Serjeant was a Section Commander in a fighting patrol under Lieutenant G.E. SEAGER which was sent on 6th September to shoot up any enemy found in CIGLIANO 043736. The patrol got to its objective an shot up an enemy section of six men. The remainder of the enemy in CIGLIANO, which was far greater than had been expected, then started to counter-attack from the West and North supported by machine-gun fire from the slopes of the hills to the East. The situation became precarious as the enemy were mortaring the patrol as well as shooting it up with machine guns. Lieutenant SEAGER ordered his patrol to get back to the woods behind. Lance-Sergeant WILLIAMS twice by returning accurate fire and crawling himself to a better fire position, prevented Lieutenant SEAGER from being pinned; but unfortunately later Lieutenant SEAGER and seven men were found to be missing. Lance-Sergeant WILLIAMS gave covering fire for the remainder of the patrol under intense direct enemy fire, enabling a lot of the patrol to get back. When he saw that they were back he crawled through the orchards back to them, after having killed two enemy for certain himself. This Lance-Sergeant displayed great personal courage when things had gone wrong and it was due to his courage and accurate fire that the remainder of the patrol returned. Signed Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 3rd Battalion WELSH GUARDS. Granted an Immediate M.M.
