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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
WILLIAMS, James Joseph (Jim), LS, 3751, RCN, Died - 30 Dec 1944, HMCS SIOUX - Son of Edward and Rachael Williams, of Victoria, BC.
James Williams was the second son of the late Edward Williams and Mrs. Rachel Williams, 1343 Esquimalt Road, LS James Joseph William, 22, was drowned overseas, according to word received by his mother. An only brother, L.Sigmn. Robert John Williams, lost his life in the sinking of HMCS Margaree in 1940. Born in Victoria, James attended Lampson Street School and Esquimalt High School. Prior to enlistment in the RCN as boy seaman at the outbreak of the war, he served as a Victoria Times carrier. (The Daily Colonist, Victoria, 27 Jan 1945)
Leading Seaman James Joseph Williams was accidentally drowned when he fell between a floating dock and the ship in which he was serving, HMCS Sioux. Born on 24 Sep 1922, in Victoria, BC, he joined the RCN on 15 Jul 1940 as a boy seaman. He is buried in the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney, Scotland, Plot O, Row 1, Grave 16A. (Source: The Ultimate Sacrifice, Vol 1, RCN, Page 296)
LS James Williams' brother - AB Robert Williams, died when HMCS MARGAREE was sunk.
When LS Williams fell in the waters of Scapa Flow, Lt Doug Ford, who was Officer of the Day onboard HMCS SIOUX, dove in the water, in full uniform, to save him.
Williams' Lakes, south of Schoen Lake provincial park, Vancouver Island, BC, is named in honour of Robert John and James Joseph Williams.
Ships served in: HMCS ASSINIBOINE - Served in ASSINIBOINE 06 Jan 1941 - 21 Nov 1941 as an OS, RCN HMCS GRANDMERE - Served in GRANDMERE 11 Dec 1941 - 09 Jan 1942 as an AB, RCN HMCS ANNAPOLIS - Served in ANNAPOLIS - 02 Jun 1942 - 08 Mar 1943 as an AB and A/LS, RCN. Rated A/LS 01 Feb 1943 ML Q057 - Served in Q057 16 Apr 1943 - 21 May 1943 as an A/LS, RCN HMCS SIOUX - Drafted to SIOUX 21 Feb 1944 as a LS, RCN
(1) Portrait of James (Jim) Williams (2-3) Certificate of Service (4) Report of Death (5) Headstone for LS James J. Williams at the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney, UK
(6) Letter from the CO of HMCS SIOUX to LS Williams' mother on the death of her son (7-8) Reports on the death of LS Williams
(9) Cover letter for statements of from crew members of HMD JOHN HERD (10) Statement for 2nd Hand Albert Murray, I/C HMD JOHN HERD (11) Statement from LS J.C. Evans, HMD JOHN HEARD (12) Statement by Seaman Joseph Lynch, HMD JOHN HERD
Second World War Casualty Index
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For Posterity's Sake 
