| Navn |
Sidney Bruce Williams |
| Fødsel |
4 Jul 1880 |
Winford, Somerset, England  |
| Kjønn |
Mann |
| Folketelling |
3 Apr 1881 |
Winford, Bedminster, Somerset, England, United Kingdom [1] |
1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Civil Parish of Winford.
1) Road, Street and No. or Name of House: Under Hill House
2) Name and Surname: Sidney B. Williams
3) Relation to Head of Family: Son
4) Condition as to Marriage: Single
5) Age Last Birthday: 0
6) Rank, Profession or Occupation: -
7) Where Born: Somerset, Winford
People in same household: Charles Williams (Father), Elizabeth Williams (Mother), Alfred E. Williams (Brother), Agnes E. Williams (Sister), Gertrude Williams (Sister), Albert J. Williams (Brother), William G. Williams (Brother), Edward T. Williams (Brother) |
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Charles Williams (1844-1883) with Family - 1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census (GBC_1881_4314941_00391)
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Charles Williams (1844-1883) with Family - 1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census (GBC_1881_4314941_00392)
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| Folketelling |
5 Apr 1891 |
Winford, Bedminster, Somerset, England, United Kingdom [2] |
1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Civil Parish of Winford, Rural Sanitary District of Bedminster, Parliamentary Division of North Somerset
1) Road, Street and No. or Name of House: Barrow Road
2) Name and Surname: Sidney Williams
3) Relation to Head of Family: Son
4) Condition as to Marriage: -
5) Age Last Birthday: 10
6) Rank, Profession or Occupation: -
7) Where Born: Somerset, Winford
People in same household: Elizabeth Williams (Mother), Beatrice Williams (Sister) |
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Elizabeth Williams, nee Pearce (1847-1924) with Family - 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census (GBC_1891_1953_0148)
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| Magasin / Avisoppslag |
4 Jul 1960 |
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Sidney Bruce Williams (1880-1980) - Newspaper Article for his Golden Wedding in 1960
The Times of Swaziland
S. B. Williams
A Well – Known And Well – Loved Figure
S. B. Williams, known to his numerous friends simply as"S. B." and Mrs. Williams, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 4th. In this article we endeavour to set out some of the highlights of S. B.'s long and useful life.
He was born in Somerset, where the cider apples grow, on July 4th. 1880. One of his first tasks after leaving school was with a firm of contractors who were engaged in erecting in Bristol the Cabot Tower, a memorial to one of Bristol's most famous sons. At the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war he volunteered for active service. He was already a volunteer in the Bristol Rifles, and was now posted to the Gloucester Regiment. In February 1900 he sailed for Southern Africa, little knowing then that this was to be the scene of his life's work.
The Boer War
So at the age of 20, young Williams found himself with the infantry, "foot, font, font, slog, slogging over Africa'', in the campaign in the Cape and the Orange Free State. From August 1901, perhaps to his relief, he was in the saddle, with the mounted South African Constabulary, newly formed by Baden Powell, heroic defender of Mafeking. We may remind readers, incidently, that Baden Powell visited Swaziland in 1889, with a commission, and made a study of the military organisation of the Swazis which is believed to have been the inspiration for his creation of the Boy Scout movement.
Among Williams' memories of the Boer War are many battles and skirmishes, guard duty at the Hex River tunnel, Modder River, Sana's Post, encounters with General de Wet, the fights along the block house lines. He recalls, as he says "a near thing at Cyperfontein and a very hot spot at Van Tonder's Hoek where Captain Leach gained the V.C. and became one of the first soldiers to gain a second V.C. in the first World War.
Arrival In Swaziland
Upon termination of hostilities in 1902 he proceeded to Swaziland from Wonderfontein with No. 5 Troop. of S.A.C. on horseback and, with animal transport, along with Special Commissioner Enryght Mooney and Staff, to re-establish a government and restore the rule of law and order. They received a great welcome. The Chief Regent, during the minority of her grandson, the present distinguished head of the Swazi nation Sobhuza II, was Ndhlovukazi Gwamili. She was, Williams recalls, "a striking personality and supported by many able advisers, a few of whom come to mind, Malunge, Nogcogco, Mhuphi, Sitshobane, Gija, Jokovu, Makambane, Nomadokola, Mgudhlula, Mboziswa, Mavela and many others; all, alas, except for the last named, having joined their ancestral spirits."
Marriage
On the third of July 1910 S. B. went to Durban to meet the ship bringing his fiancée Mary Edwards, a Gloucester girl who was seeing Africa for the first time. They were married the following day, which by a remarkable coincidence was also both his and her birthday. They have five children, four of whom are resident Swazilanders, and eleven grandchildren. As S. B. remarks, "the multiplication table is proceeding".
Williams was transferred to the Administrative Staff in 1911. Upon the outbreak of the first World War the Polo players gave their ponies to mounta volunteer troop for service with the South African Light Horse. S. B. assisted in the organisation and training of the Home Guard, formed by the Mbabane Rifle Club. The Armistice was signed in November 1918, in which month there was a severe epidemic of influenza in Bremersdorp. No doctor was available, and at one time S. B., nobly assisted by his wife, established two temporary hospitals, and as he was the only official not incapacitated he had to perform, in addition to his other duties, those of police, stock inspector, postmaster etc."
His Career
In the course of his career S. B. served in all the districts of Swaziland, notably in the Central and Southern districts where he was for many years District Commissoner. Since his retirement in 1941 he has found new scope for his energies, in ranching at Mvangatini, recruiting a labour force for the establishment of Peak Timbers Ltd., and another labour force for the Swaziland Irrigation Scheme. He has acted as Principal of the Swazi National schools, and at various times as Administrative Officer, Manzini District.
He was largely responsible for the establishment of the Trelawny township for Mr. Pendray. He continues to run his own farm, and has done much useful work for the Swaziland Show Society.
The Concessionaires
The years before the Boer War had been noteworthy for an influx of Europeans seeking concessions. They obtained from the then Swazi king a fantastic variety of concessions, but the most important were, of course, the land concessions which covered almost the whole country. In 1907 it was announced that each land concessionaire must give up his claim to at least one third of the area of his concession, without compensation. The land thus set free was set aside for the exclusive use of the Swazis.
Animal transport was in use between Tembe via Stegi and at Statuweni, but a route for a railway to join up with the Portuguese system was very soon surveyed and hopes of a Swaziland railway ran high. (They have been running high and running down again every few years ever since then). After the formation of the Swaziland Police Force Williams served with that force and in the course of manifold duties travelled the length and breadth of Swaziland on horseback. He was Messenger of the Court, Clerk of the Court, Public Prosecutor at Mbabane, a foundation member of the Mbabane Sports Club, a keen cricketer, and was prominent at polo and gymkhana events.
Honoures
S. B. has earned the esteem and affection of Swazilanders of all races. Wherever he may travel in Swaziland his tall upright figure is recognised by the Swazis, and he is greeted with affection as one of themselves. His good work has been recognised by his Sovereign and by the government; for his decorations include the Queen's and King's medals (1900-1902) with 6 clasps, the Coronation Modal (1937), the Imperial Service Order, and the Order of the British Empire. He is an honorary life member of the Swaziland Farmers' Association and of the Swaziland Show Society, a life Member of the Manzini Club, and an honorary life president of the Manzini African Football Association.
We know that we speak for the whole of Swaziland in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Williams on their golden wedding anniversary, and in wishing them many more happy anniversaries of their wedding. S. B. can look back on a career of faithful service to his Queen and country, and to his second homeland, Swaziland, — the country of his adoption and of his affection, to the service of which his life has been devoted. |
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Sidney Bruce Williams (1880-1980) - Medals
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| Død |
Nov 1980 |
Manzini, Swaziland |
 Søsken |
5 brødre og 3 søstre |
| | 1. Henry C. Williams, f. 1866, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom | | | 2. Alfred Ernest Williams, f. 1870, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom | | | 3. Agnes Elizabeth Williams, f. 1872, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom d. Des 1936, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom (Alder 64 år) | | | 4. Gertrude Williams, f. 1874, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom d. 1943 (Alder 69 år) | | | 5. Albert Job Williams, f. 1876, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom d. 1943 (Alder 67 år) | | | 6. William George Williams, f. 1878, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom d. 1913, France (Alder 35 år) | | | 7. Edward Pearce Williams, f. 1879, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom d. 1964, Canada (Alder 85 år) | | + | 8. Sidney Bruce Williams, f. 4 Jul 1880, Winford, Somerset, England d. Nov 1980, Manzini, Swaziland (Alder 100 år)
▻ Mary Edwards, g. 4 Jul 1910 | | | 9. Beatrice Mary Williams, f. 1883, Winford, Somerset, England, United Kingdom d. 1926, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom (Alder 43 år) |
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| Person ID |
I19548 |
Servan Homme |
| Sist endret |
25 Aug 2022 |
Slektstavle til 
1880 - 1980 (100 år)
Har 6 aner og 26 etterkommere i Familietreet.
Charles Williams, f. 1844, Bishopsworth, Somerset, England, United Kingdom 
Doreen Mary Williams, f. 27 Nov 1912, Mbabane, Hhohho, Swaziland 