John Williams (VC)

John Williams VC (born John Fielding; 24 May 1857 – 25 November 1932) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was a native of Monmouthshire. He lived and died in that county. He was born to Irish Catholic parents. When serving in the military, he gave a false surname of Williams, rather than his more distinct family name of Fielding. It was during his six years of active service that he was decorated with the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Rorke's Drift in 1879. Upon completing active service, he was an army reservist for the next six years, and extended this by four years. When his time was expired, he enlisted in the Volunteer Battalion of the local regiment.

After he was discharged to civilian life, he married, and was a father to six children. In 1914 his wife died in the spring, and his eldest son, who had followed his father's footsteps to join the army, was killed in September. He had re-enlisted and served in the regimental depot at Brecon, as an instructor. He died in 1932.