CHEPSTOW momentarily stopped on Tuesday, 25th April to commemorate ANZAC Day and the memory of a Chepstow Seaman who was awarded the Victorian Cross.

Able Seaman William Charles William served on the HMS River Clyde, one of the ships involved in the Allied landing at Gallipoli in the First World War, on 25th April 1915.

The commemoration also included the observance of ANZAC (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) Day, a day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand acknowledging those who served and died in all wars, and was originally held to honour those who fought at Gallipoli.

The ceremony, held at the Chepstow war memorial, was attended by a number of representatives including the Chepstow branches of the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion, relatives of Able Seaman Williams, MP David Davies, AM Nick Ramsay, Chepstow Town Council and students from St John’s-on-the-Hill Primary School.

After an opening prayer the last post was played and a moments silence was held. Wreaths of poppies were then laid on the Memorial Gun and Commander Christopher Wilson, president of the Chepstow’s Royal Naval Association spoke, detailing the efforts of Able Seaman Williams.

“He served on the HMS River Clyde that with her transport barges carried 2,000 assault soldiers,” said Commander Wilson. “But that ship was unable to come alongside as planned because the the water was too shallow. So two companies of soldiers emerged from the side of the River Clyde into the water.

“In trying to reach the shore the soldiers were cut to pieces suffering 70 per cent casualties. So Williams and others manhandled three of the barges to form a bridge from the ship to the shore under heavy machine gun and shell fire, Williams stood chest deep in the sea holding the drifting barges together, helping two battalions of soldiers to disembark.

“Able Seaman Williams died at Gallipoli performing an act of bravery and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.”

Speaking after the ceremony relatives of Able Seaman Williams were proud to have his legacy remembered.

Gordon Pidsley said: “You grow up and you see the memorial but you don’t really think about it. As you get older you realise what they did and if it wasn’t for what they did we wouldn’t have the life we have today.

“It makes you proud what he did, in the heat of the battle he was completely selfless, he wasn’t considering himself just thinking about others.”

Mr Pidsley’s daughter Emma Gudgeon said of the commemoration: “It’s massive, I’ve explained it to my daughter, about who he was and she is six years old.

“To have one of the only places in the UK to remember ANZAC Day is great, it’s great we still remember.”