World war 1 veteran | Sidney Williams | Stories from the front | This Week | 1970

Some extracts from an interview with 73 year old World war 1 veteran and resident of The Royal Star and Garter home in Richmond, London about about his experiences in the trenches.
First shown: 05/11/1970
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Quote: VT3691

[@bertiodvonrastenburger1129]

An accent now practically lost.

[@Jk-oz5qn]

“ how many people have you killed in the war?” “Couldn’t say i was a lewis gunner”

[@jrb1802uk]

Sidney Williams. WW1 1914-1918. Served in the Home Guard during WW2 1939-1945. Gave his war medal to the Imperial War Musuem (still on display) in 1972. He passed away in 1976. Truly remarkable man.

[@k9nick]

I remember asking my dad in the sixties. He was in dunkirk. Did you kill anyone dad? He replied, son, you shoot your gun. You don't keep your head up to see if you hit him. It would get blown off.

[@sichere]

2:05 -Mr Williams was it all worth it - NO

[@Wolshanze]

I remember talking to WW1 veterans through out the 70s and 80s, now there all gone these film are important.

[@a.p.3004]

The wisest words ever said by an ex soldier. "Never again volunteer."

[@cestkaiser]

Its really sad that no WW1 veteran is still alive

[@Idcanymore510]

This man himself is telling you he is not a hero! He would never do it again and it wasn't worth it. His life was marked by horrors he saw and committed. That is the veteran's truth, not the fairytale and myths that the jingoistic armchair warriors would have you believe.

[@timothysmith160]

There were a few of these old boys around still when i was a kid, they had something about them, each and every one that i met God Bless all of them..

[@joncotn]

When I was a kid in the late 60’s, I remember so many ex servicemen walking about with shell shock. It was a common sight back then - Bristol, 1969

[@welditmick]

Was it worth it - Only to those who orchestrated it, just like all the other wars.

[@robertm7071]

I knew a number of Great War veterans. There was one big difference between them and the Second World War veterans, and that was they rarely spoke about their experiences. My neighbour in London recalled how the family had to hold down their father at night when he was “back in the trenches” in his dreams. I heard a radio programme about Salford where a man couldn’t sleep due to the memories so he went out for a walk and saw other men doing the same. We are so lucky not to have witnessed the horror of the Great War. Arnold Ridley of Dad’s Army was another victim of his experiences of that appalling waste of life, brought about, as always, by the ruling elite.

[@idontknowhatmynameshouldbe]

Sad to know that all ww1 veterans are now dead at least they get to rest in an better place re unite with there friends and family and lost comrades

[@Grandizer8989]

To survive WW1 as a machine gunner was very hard since both sides made it a point to call in artillery on strongpoints.

[@ronmccullock1407]

This is why we should never forget

[@ethelhand8892]

The True Hero is a guy in a wheelchair,not celebrities.

[@shaq14_15]

That war should have never happened . What a waste of lives . You can tell it changed this man forever

[@alibongo4742]

so sad,and still we havent learnt anything

[@bertiewooster3326]

My grandfather fought as part of the 1914 BEF 18th Hussars wounded 3 times got his ticket out of the Army in 1916 at the Somme died in 1953

[@thernfosterbevis5374]

My Great Grandfather was a sergeant major in WW1 which means he went over the top first with his men, he survived the war, and my Grandfather was a desert rat in WW2, took part in the siege of Tobruk, he was also bitten by the one of the most venomous snakes in Africa but survived that AND the war

[@user-bp8kj4dg8r]

Footballers and "celebrities" are not heroes. This Fine old chap is a *TRUE* hero.

[@wayfaerer320]

"...painted some paintings..." Common phrase used in WWI to describe the way machine guns would sweep fire across the landscape like a brush sweeping across a canvas.

[@marks.c4753]

My grandfather served then came home disabled. Rip Charlie .passed in 72.

[@speakeasydoorman4966]

Rich man's war Poor man's blood and guts

[@tastelesstouch]

Interviewer: “Was it all worth it?” Vet: “No! I never would volunteer for anything after going through what I went though back there.”

[@stevenhedley4597]

I'm physically twice this mans size , ave all my limbs , yet,,, not even half the man he is , I'm only here because of him and his comrades , god bless their memory Bloody waste of lives on all sides .

[@denismay6011]

Today is 07/02/21. How could 7 Morons give this a Thumbs Down. These Veterans deserve our utmost respect.

[@thefairhairedboywiththered2951]

My Mum worked in an old folks home when I was a kid. She took me in to meet a First World War veteran . I remember being awestruck meeting this old man, a true hero. He showed me his medals and even let me try on his helmet. I remember it being very heavy. There was also a bullet hole in the helmet that missed him by inches. I watched a documentary during the centenary of the First World War and thé played an audio recording of another veteran. As an old man he was brought to tears when recounting an incident when he came across a young soldier crying out in agony. One half of this soldiers body was gone , medical help was miles away and this soldier was going to die. The soldier was beyond help but he could not leave him in the agony that he was in, so he took out his revolver and shot him . The old soldier then went on to say that there was not a day that went buy that he did not think of this young man. A lot of veterans mentioned not fearing death but they did fear being maimed and left out in ‘No mans land “ in agony. The horrors that they experienced seems unimaginable .

[@cherokeewarrior623]

This is a real hero boys and girls not your celebrities and athletes that people seem to be so obsessed with these days

[@crowbar9566]

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell; One more soldier reporting sir, I've served my time in hell.

[@BigRed707]

Thank you Sydney 🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻 Fly high mate , and all the boys who never made it back.

[@balastrade]

Walk in that mans shoes ladies and gentlemen. Collectively we would all crumble under the pressure of weight of struggle this one man has carried.im very humbled for his strength, .may he Rest In Peace.

[@theoutsider4066]

A very humble man. May he rest in peace.

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

I want to give him a hug and tell him, you’ve done what you could and you did your part.

[@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641]

Some of THE best advice on the internet.

[@nicck]

Respectful interview. Not like these days when they challenge people on their moral code during a world war.

[@timprescott4634]

My granddaddy was in that war. Never once spoke of it... this man had every right to say he wouldn’t do it again. He did it once and saved the world. If only for a brief moment.

[@porkscratchings5428]

Amazing to see this, I was only 3 when this came out. I remember watching The World at War first time round but watching back now, there are a fair few historical inaccuracies. The First World War was the biggest waste of time fighting a family feud of the Royal descendants of Queen Victoria, such a waste of human life and the war profiteers made a fair few quid too!

[@DJNickyM4]

This man must've killed hundreds, he said he was a Lewis machine gunner. He's seen some shit

[@jimsmith7828]

A real Hero. Heroes every one of them.

[@laurenmclain6378]

Thank you for sharing this...It breaks my heart to hear him talk about his experiences. I admire his forthright way of responding to the questions he's asked. The cost of war is too great for all involved, and I wish the world had grasped this after both World Wars. For whatever reasons, people continue to go to war. Perhaps it is the result of younger generations being oblivious to the toll that war exacts until they experience it themselves?

[@sandysanderson8588]

God bless you sir ,we are generation that will never know. But we shall NEVER forget so it shall NEVER be repeated.

[@heneedssomemilk8652]

My great great grandfather on my dad's side had served in Gallipoli And my other great great grandfather who was on my dad's side served in the battle of the Somme. They were brave men. My dad only found out after they passed away because they had never spoke of it at all.

[@johnnyjolijt2]

NO! What an honest answer.

[@AlbertH99]

When I was a kid we had a neighbour who was gassed and never worked properly since. He died about 1968.

[@paddy1437]

true hero. much respect

[@samuelli-a-sam]

Wow what a man ❤️

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing, and regards from Indiana USA.

[@billyrock8305]

Critical and highly treasured film footage. History talking here people. A brave and honest man. Listen to his words. See what he’s seen. Understand his feelings. War is never the solution.

[@karlos543]

What an awesome fellow. We think we have it hard! I bow to you sir.

[@tjm3900]

My grandmother lost her first husband (my grandfather) in WWI, her second husband was severely injured in WWII. Nobody would ask her if it was worth it!

[@DrpepperandRocklover]

Rip to all these men and women gone but not forgotten 😔

[@michaelroberts7374]

Could have listened all day

[@TheQuadrant193]

the Germans and British have respect for one another

[@DangRockets]

Thank you for uploading this.

[@badrobot8531]

Respect to you Sir

[@steakmeal74]

War is hell that’s for sure. So many life’s lost and lives ruined for the survivors, having to live with those memories. God bless them

[@Merlin07100]

I knew the last American Great War veteran, Frank Woodruff Buckles.

[@saschayufer2474]

ty for your service sir in ww1 you are hero sir just like all the other brave men and women who continue to fight to keep the world safe.

[@gmf121266]

This man is a hero, not because he killed so many men but because he hates war and killing men but still served and went through hell with his mates.

[@binalongberrico4808]

Thank you for posting

[@steaminglion4067]

To me and my freedom he is a hero. God bless

[@oldtoby9377]

He looked really good for his age. Respect for all those who had to fight in the meat grinder that was WW1

[@GabrielA-mw4in]

What an amazing video. Reality of the futility of war where the common folk are pawns.

[@markbowden7238]

Of course it wasn't worth it he was a soldier. However it was immensely profitable for the people who sent him to fight.

[@grantdavis6363]

War is hell, plain and simple.

[@donaldkershaw6371]

Thank You

[@modrevival168]

War should be avoided at all costs

[@Louis-gp7ox]

its funny how now days we get "depressed" due to failing an exam or not getting a job, or GOD FORBID a relationship breaking down with a boyfriend or girlfriend, but this guy went to hell and back and still finds the positives in life

[@badrobot2765]

Much love and respect

[@ronan7812]

Was it all worth it? The best question I've ever heard.

[@candraligawan2451]

The real hero in the war ...

[@Wiseguy248]

What's with the dislike on this video?

[@deaddentist733]

You will be forgiven for everything. That was your job. U protected many. They owe U their lives. Peace and love from San Antonio Texas,Grace. PLEASE FORGIVE yourself. I love you Angel. :) ☮️🕊️💓.

[@tomservo5347]

My Dad is old enough to remember during parades in our small town the old WW1 doughboys always at the front carrying the flag with their 1903 Springfields. Dad said this was during the 50's and they were getting old even back then.

[@stelley08]

Interesting interview. When i was younger, i always thought there was a crocodile opening its mouth in that thames logo.

[@stevenhearnden66]

Unimaginable. 😔

[@henalihenali]

My maternal Grandfather gassed in 1st WW and paternal's battlehip sank 2 days before Armistice. Both survived and I knew.

[@oodigower]

Bless him x

[@unohoncho7727]

1:23 - The pride you can see in his statement when he said he was a Lewis Gunner - "The Lewis Gunner was the first of the machine gunners who could pick up his gun and take it with him, even though it weighed over twelve kilos. The Lewis gun team was made up of at least six men, the number one is the actual gunner, the man who fires the gun"

[@Donalob]

Such a terribly sad listen.

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

Bless him

[@patrickflynn8989]

A good man in a terrible situation...

[@julast6658]

The kids of today dont know they are born - R I P Mr Williams

[@rosswynne2379]

Bless

[@jrockofages5413]

We are so SOFT today. We freak when the internet goes down and reach for a pill to cope. I pray we never truly have to bear up...won't be pretty

[@GlennLeinster]

Well said that man......volunteer again NO

[@andysmith8890]

What year was this filmed?

[@Nasher1976PSN]

War is hell.

[@ashTHFCley]

Wow

[@jrockofages5413]

It is only worth it to all of us whose freedom was paid for by the blood of those who gave all. Yet we wipe our feet on it for next to nothing

[@andysmith8890]

1970 just seen it

[@jasonayres]

My mum's uncle survived Gallipoli. "Was it worth it..?" Lest we forget.

[@fullcircle3357]

Required viewing a HERO

[@FourIntoOne]

The horror.

[@truthoutmedia]

Just shows we don't know we are born really