John David Forster Williams was born on 13 January 1922, the son of Captain Montague Williams (b.circa 1889) and Nancy Gellatly Williams née Rogers (1897-1986). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1922 in the Cardiff registration district, Glamorganshire, Wales. His father had served in the Army Service Corps during World War One.
In the 1939 England and Wales Register he was listed as an insurance clerk, living at Duncombe Farm House, Ockham Road North, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey, with his mother who was described as a tea shop proprietress and his sister Jean Williams (b.1918) who was a cake saleswoman.
He was serving as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles, Service Number EC/6603, when he died of wounds, aged 23 years, on 20 April 1945. His body was buried in Plot 3, Row E, Grave 16, in the Faenza War Cemetery, Via Vincenzo Cimatti, 14, 48018 Santa Lucia delle Spianate RA, Italy.
He is shown as John David Forster Williams on the Lloyd's of London WW2 memorial and as J.D.F. Williams on the metal plaque within the Lych Gate of St Martin's Church, Oakham Road South, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
