The Northern Echo 03/01/1919 reports:
Bn.Sig. Sergt-Inst. William Williams, M.M., King's Royal Rifles, of Ryhope, has been awarded the D.C.M. Sergt. Williams, who was awarded the Military Medal on 16th September 1918, has been in the army about 16 years. He is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, 18 Lord Street New Silksworth, five of whose sons are in the army and the youngest of the six is in the Navy.
At the present time four of Mr. and Mrs. Williams' five soldier sons are home on leave, and are expecting their final discharge.