Floyd Williams was born on March 9, 1922, the son of Captain Arthur D. Williams and Letitia Williams, of 165 North Vidal Street, Sarnia. Floyd had one sister, Dorothy (later to become Mrs. Robert Koehler of Petrolia) and four brothers: Ernest (later in Philadelphia); Earl (would become a Reverend in Brantford); Randall and Frederick. His brother Fred would also enlist in the army, and at the time of Floyd’s death, Fred was serving overseas. Prior to the war, Floyd Williams was a well-known, all-round athlete in Sarnia, having played lacrosse, hockey, baseball, tennis and other sports. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a store clerk in the Sarnia Sport Shop on Christina Street.
Nineteen year-old Floyd would lose his father, Arthur Williams, who died on May 26, 1941. Floyd’s father Arthur Williams, was born in Sarnia and was a painting contractor for 30 years here. He served in the U.S. Forces in the Spanish-American War and also in the Phillipines and Cuba. A sergeant in the 27th St.Clair Borderers, he enlisted in 1914 in the 34th battalion C.E.F. He trained the Sarnia section of the battalion and was later transferred to the 36th battalion in Guelph. He arrived in England and transferred to the 17th Reserve battalion. In France, he served with the Machine Gun Brigade and was invalided in 1916. When Arthur died, his wife Letitia and their sons Floyd, Fred and Randall were still living at home at 167 North Brock Street.
In mid-August of 1942, Floyd’s brother, Frederick Williams, would marry Miss Jean Anna Kemsley, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Kemsley of Sarnia. The wedding took place in the White Street Gospel Mission, in Sarnia, the first wedding solemnized there. Floyd Williams would serve as best man for his brother, Bombardier Frederick Williams of the 48th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Petawawa.
On April 22, 1944, Floyd Williams would marry Norine Averial Demeray, the daughter of Mrs. Alice Demeray. Floyd’s father, unfortunately, had passed away prior to the wedding. The wedding ceremony was held at the Parker Street United Church and was performed by the bridegroom’s brother Rev. Earl Williams of Port Colborne, who was assisted by Rev. J.N. Gould. The bride entered the church on the arm of her brother, LAC Leslie Demeray. Her maid of honour was Miss Eileen Walker, while Doris Walker acted as bridesmaid and Diane Martin, niece of the bride, was junior bridesmaid. Floyd’s best man was Bob Koelher, brother-in-law of the groom, while Bill White and Neil McArthur were the ushers. Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church basement for approximately 50 guests. Afterwards, the young couple left on a short honeymoon, before Sgt. Floyd Williams returned to his duties on the west coast. The couple’s home address was 167 North Brock Street, Sarnia.
Prior to going overseas, Floyd was part of the 48th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery of Sarnia in the summer of 1944, where he held the rank of sergeant. He reverted to private and was transferred to the infantry to go overseas. Floyd and his brother Fred went overseas together. In early December of 1944, Letitia Williams in Sarnia would receive a telegram from her sons Floyd and Fred, informing her that they had both arrived safely in France with a Canadian army unit. Floyd became a member of the Canadian Army Irish Regiment of Canada, R.C.I.C..
Floyd Williams was awarded the Medal of Honour for his heroic actions, performed only months before he was killed himself. In a letter from Pte. W.E. LeRoy to Floyd’s wife, Norine, he described how Floyd Williams risked his own life to rescue a wounded comrade in his unit. Pte. W.E. LeRoy and Floyd Williams had become close friends during their two months together with the Irish Regiment while fighting in Italy. On this particular occasion, their section of men were moving from a house under German shell and mortar fire to another house 175 yards away, when Pte. LeRoy was wounded in the stomach and arm.
“I didn’t pass out, but I couldn’t get up,” Pte LeRoy’s letter said. “Floyd and the others were okay as they were still going for the house. I think I had just about given up all hope of getting anywhere when I saw Floyd turn his head and look back. I guess he realized I was hit because the next second he was coming across that open field. I tried to holler to him to get the hell into the house, but my voice was no more than a whisper. Even if I could have yelled it, I doubt if he’d have heard me; the mortars and shells exploding all around made too much noise. When he reached me I told him to scram but it was no use talking. He got me on my feet and by half-carrying me we got back across the field to the house. I’ll never know how but we did. I was laid on a mattress and Floyd helped to put on the shell dressings. That was the last time I saw Floyd, as they moved on and I was taken out to hospital. I don’t think I need tell you how I felt when they told me Floyd didn’t come back. And I’ll never forget how he looked coming back across that field to get me. People like him never really die, Mrs. Williams. Perhaps they live only in the memory of those who knew them, but they live”.
On January 2, 1945, Private Floyd Williams would lose his life while fighting in Italy, during the Italian Campaign. In mid-January of 1945, the widowed Letitia Williams in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her son, Pte. Floyd Williams, has been killed in action in Italy. At the time of Floyd’s death, his wife Norine Williams was residing with her mother, Mrs. Alice Demary at 226 Napier Street, Sarnia. Floyd Williams would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (Italy). Twenty-two year old Floyd Williams is buried in Villanova Canadian War Cemetery, Italy, Grave II, A, 2.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, N, R, 2C, 2D