Carmarthen wartime hero honoured by French President


David Williams, of Melin y Coed, Bancyfelin, near Carmarthen, has been awarded France’s highest honour.
President Hollande has appointed him a Chevalier in the L’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur.
He has received the insignia of the Order and a prestigious medal.
The accompanying letter emphasised that the honour was ‘in recognition of your acknowledged military engagement and your steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France’.
It added that ‘We owe our security and freedom to your dedication because you were ready to risk your own life’.
Mr Williams who is 97, was one of the brave soldiers who helped defend and liberate France during World War Two.
As a soldier in the ‘British Expeditionary Force’ supporting France’s fight for freedom in May 1940, David Williams was evacuated with the British and French troops from Dunkerque.
Following action with the 8th Army in North Africa and Italy, he took part in the liberation of France, landing in Normandy in 1944.
Once ‘Operation Neptune’ was completed, his responsibility was to deliver 40 ton Churchill tanks to the front lines.
This involved loading the tanks, often in difficult terrain and dangerous locations and driving the very heavy, unwieldy tank transporters in short shifts to battle theatres throughout France.
Mr Williams said “I’m overwhelmed by this exceptional honour. It has brought back many memories. During the war, I lost good comrades and I feel that this award honours them as well”.
Mr Williams will be receiving his outstanding award from France’s honorary Consul in Wales, Mme Marie Brousseau-Navarro who will be attending the Armed Services Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church, St Clears on 26 June 2016.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

'Class of 1980' from Burry Port enjoy reunion

Image
There was a big class reunion held in Burry Port at the weekend. Members of the Class of 1980 from Porth Tywyn (Burry Port junior) School got together at The Coasting Pilot pub. The reunion was organised by Christine Rees and same 22 members of the original class of 28 turn up to discuss their old schooldays. One ‘Class of 1980’ member was Burry Port businessman Owain Davies. He said: “We all have very happy memories of our time in school. We had a fantastic teacher in Mr Heddwyn Jones, who now lives in Four Roads. “We were very fortunate to have the same teacher for three years and we were a very happy class. Mr Jones was an inspiring teacher and we all got on every well and we are all still good friends. “Heather Thomas (now Heather Osmond) made it from Surrey, but she was trumped by Gail Morris, who flew in from Ohio in the United States for the reunion. “It was a fantastic evening at the Coasting Pilot with good food, good wine and good company. We even recreated the class
Read more

Glangwilli Hospital specialist wins top award from Wales Deanery

Image
A top doctor at Glangwili General Hospital has been honoured by the Wales Deanery at an event hosted by the British Medical Association (BMA) in Cardiff’s Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Dr Madhuri Kodliwadmath, Associate Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, was rewarded for her excellence in clinical service. All Welsh doctors and dentists in training were asked to nominate a consultant, GP, dentist or staff and associate specialty grade doctor, who they believed performed outstandingly. The awards are part of the ‘Supervising the Route to Excellence’ programme which aims to ensure excellence in medical training through the development and support of high quality educational, clinical supervisors and trainers throughout Wales. Dr Kodliwadmath said: “I am proud to be part of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology team in Glangwili hospital with the support of the clinical lead consultant, Dr Nicola Piskorowskyj, for the last 10 years, and I would like to thank the department and
Read more