Arthur Montague Williams

Lieutenant Arthur Montague Williams was gazetted a Lieutenant with the Sherwood Foresters Regiment on 8th June 1913, he went to France on 25th February 1915 and was killed in action at Kemmel on 15th June 1915. The Regimental History describes his death as follows: 'The 8th battalion Sherwoods were in the process of being relieved on 15th June 1915 in trenches close to Kemmel when they came under attack. The Germans blew up a mine and then attacked, occupying some trenches. The Germans started shelling the trenches held by 8th Battalion which was in the process of handing over to 7th. “Lieut. A M Williams, commanding the Robin Hoods’ Machine Gun section, on coming up with his relief at this time immediately went to the assistance of Dobson [Lieutenant, in charge of 8th Sherwoods machine guns who had been seriously wounded by shrapnel] when another shell burst and killed them both instantly. It was a great loss to lose at the same moment the Officers under whom both Battalion machine gunners had been trained to a very high state of efficiency, and Lieut. A M Williams’ loss was deeply felt by all ranks of the Robin Hoods to whom he had much endeared himself. He was the first Officer of the Robin Hoods to be killed in action.” The Nottingham Guardian of 19th June 1915 states that he was killed by a shrapnel shell. He was a member of the firm of Browne, Son and Williams, Nottingham. The firm still exists as Browne Jacobson Solicitors. The Guardian of Saturday 26th June 1915 reports A M Williams’ memorial service held at All Saints Church. It was attended by some officers and men of his own unit, The Robin Hoods, from the base depot detachment. Others represented included members of the legal profession – Williams was a well-known solicitor – the Red Cross Society of which he was a former assistant secretary, the Freemasons and the Nottingham High School Cadet Corps. The deceased’s sword was laid upon the altar, drapped in Union Jacks. The address was given by the chaplain of the Robin Hoods, the Reverend H T Hayman. He stated that Lieutenant Williams was patriotic and had done valuable service in the Red Cross movement. He performed this work with “tact and thoroughness” that had also so distinguished his father. The young officer had met his death with “pluck and readiness which he displayed to help a comrade in time of need.” It should be a comfort to his family “that there was no earthly thing so noble and glorious as a man giving his life for his country.” The “country needed [such] sacrifice”. Lieutenant Williams went to war because he loved his country. His example was a rebuke to over protective parents and shirkers. Arthur Montagu Williams’ life and sacrifice would be remembered with gratitude by the people of Nottingham. The following, from a letter to one of Lieutenant Williams’ sisters was reproduced from a Captain G H Stubington. He stated: “It was after dark and he had just gone into the trenches which the Robin hoods were taking over from 8th battalion [Sherwood Foresters] when Lieutenant Dobson of the 8th was wounded by a shell. Arthur went to help him when another shell exploded and killed them both instantly. He died on duty and I need not tell you how much we feel his loss. He was a most efficient officer and a close personal friend of mine and as far as the machine gun work is concerned I feel I have lost my right hand man. The commanding officer desires me to add that the battalion has suffered a great loss by his death and he will be very much missed by all ranks to whom he had endeared himself and especially his brother officers.' The Daily Express of 21st related very much the same story of Williams’ death and on 26th June added further information about the memorial service, stating that the Reverend H L Clarke, vicar of “All Saints” took the service with the address being given by Reverend H T Hayman. The organ played “Angel’s Farewell” from Elgar’s “Dream of Gerontius” before the service and Handel’s “Dead March” at the end and the “Last Post”. Research Simon Williams

During the Great War he was Joint Secretary of the Nottingham Red Cross Society.