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Ivor Edward Williams
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded to Warrant Telegraphist Ivor Edward Williams.
Ivor Edward Williams received his Distinguished Service Cross when serving as a Warrant Telegraphist. It was awarded for “courage and outstanding skill and devotion to duty shown in operations which led to successful landings at Salerno in September 1943”. This was on HMS Mauritius with Force K during the invasion of Italy. Cruisers gave vital gunnery support to the soldiers ashore throughout the landings. Soldiers would relay the positions of the enemy and direct the naval guns onto targets using portable radios. The success of the communication link depended greatly on the supervision, patience and skill of Warrant Telegraphist Williams.
Ivor Williams had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy. He joined as a Boy 2nd Class and qualified as a Telegraphist in 1931 aged 18. During the Second World War between January 1942 and March 1944 he served on Admiral’s Staff and saw much action especially with Admiral Harcourt in 15th Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean.
He was also with 18th Cruiser Squadron and served on the Staff of Admiral Bonham-Carter on his flagship, HMS Edinburgh. In May 1942 the Russian Convoy they were escorting came under attack. Edinburgh sank together with a cargo of gold bars, a payment from the USSR for arms received. Williams was mentioned in despatches for being instrumental in maintaining communications with the Commander-in-Chief and Admiralty throughout this convoy.
After the war Williams was commissioned and rose through the ranks to command HMS Bicester at the Spithead Fleet Review in 1953. He also commanded the aircraft carrier HMS Centaur during refit. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1958 as a Lieutenant Commander.
Ivor Williams other medals are: 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star with clasp North Africa 1942-43, Italy Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal with mention in despatches oak leaf, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953, Arctic Emblem (2006).
