Sydney Frederick Williams

Sydney Frederick Williams CMG (29 December 1866 – 12 May 1942) was a British Army Brigadier General.

Sydney Frederick Williams
Born(1866-12-29)29 December 1866
Died12 May 1942(1942-05-12) (aged 75)
London, England
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankBrigadier General
Commands heldRoyal Engineers, Chief Engineer, 1916–1918
Battles/warsFirst World War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1916

Background edit

Sydney Frederick Williams was born 29 December 1866, the son of the Rev. Stephen Frederick Williams, the Rector of Cold Norton, Essex, England.[1] and his wife, Carolyn Sydney.[2] He was baptized on 27 February 1867 in Bromborough, Cheshire, England.[2] Williams was educated at Haileybury entering there in 1880, and leaving in 1885.[1][3]

On 17 November 1896 at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, Williams married May Grant Gwyer, the daughter of Cecil Francis Gwyer and Mary Stewart Mitchell of Edinburgh, Scotland.[4] Her father's family were merchants in St. Petersburg, Russia.[1] Through her mother, May was a member of the Smalls of Dirnanean. The couple lived at 1 Thurloe-court, Chelsea, London most of their married life.

Williams died in London on 12 May 1942.[5]

Military career edit

After completing his education at Haileybury, Williams entered the Royal Engineers on 18 February 1886.[1] He was promoted to captain in 1896,[1] Lieutenant-Colonel in 1913 and colonel in 1918.[6] He was elevated to Brigadier General in 1919 after serving as Chief Engineer between 1916 and 1918.[6] In 1916 he was awarded the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Milford, M.A., Lionel Sumner, ed. (1900). Haileybury Register, Haileybury and Imperial Service College. London and Bungay: Richard Clay and Sons, Limited. p. 226. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Cheshire, England, Select Bishop's Transcripts, 1576–1933". Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Pupils at Haileybury College prior to 1912". Orders of Chivalry Haileybury 1862–1912. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Fashionable Marriage; Lieut. S. F. Williams & May Grant Gwyer". Chelmsford Chronicle, Essex, England. 20 November 1896.
  5. ^ "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar, 1858–1966". Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Debrett, John, ed. (1931). Debrett's Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage. Dean & Son, Limited. p. 2214.