Ben Williams was born in 1883 into a farming family in Llansawel, Carmarthenshire. At the age of seventeen he volunteered to fight in the South African War. In 1902 he was discharged from the army at Bloemfontein and returned to Wales. In 1906 he set sail for Halifax and a new life in Canada. He said years later that while serving in South Africa he had met up with some Canadian volunteers who had encouraged him to take advantage of the opportunities available in the Canadian Northwest, especially to those with farming experience. In 1914 Ben joined the Canadian army, his previous military experience probably securing him a commission. He served for almost the entire war, being posted overseas in early 1915. He saw action in some of the bloodiest battles on the Western Front, including the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the attack on Hill 70 and the long gruelling campaign in Flanders. As a result of the Battle of Vimy Ridge Ben was awarded a Military Cross, with a citation that reads: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the attack he showed great courage in dealing with several difficult situations. He personally bombed a machine gun crew, capturing the gun and seventeen prisoners. Pictured here are the medals Ben won in the Boer War and his Military Cross.