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Date	Original Topic
7th March 2002	John Williams a coward? By Glenn Wade I hope this is not true because John Williams is one of my favourite Rorkes Drift defenders (save Hook and CS Bourne) but I read some time ago that something was said about him being a coward, you know, when he took advantage of Joseph Williams struggle to break a hole through the wall and escape. It was said that his family were fighting for his name to be cleared. Could people who know more or wish to share their opinion jot it down here please? Oh yes, could 'gus' steer clear of this! Thanks! Glenn.
Date	Replies
8th March 2002	CLIVE DICKENS Glen, I my self have not ever known John Williams termed a coward, but your question brings me to an interesting point and that is another question WHAT IS ACOWARD ?, I served in the Britsh army for many years, and I saw action too and it is something that I wish to put out of my mind, but I can tell you. that we where all very frightened young men at the time, and fear leads to not only very brave deeds ask any holder of the V.C. or any other recipient of a bravery award if you can get them to talk at all that is and they will tell you that they where very,very frightened men, and soldiers in Victorian times would not have been any different whatsoever. so if indeed John Williams has been labeled a coward let us not condemn him, more so if you have been lucky enough never to have been in the situation a soldier in action has been in, Clive
13th March 2002	TREVOR Where do you get your info from, that John Williams was a coward? C
16th March 2002	Megan John williams was not a coward, he helped to save men, and Joseph williams was his friend, he wouldnt have taken advantage of his death. I know this because John williams who didnt like to talk about the battle, sat my grandfather (his grandson) down one day and told him the whole story, my grandfather then told it to me. John williams was definitly not a coward.
18th March 2002	Glenn Wade I do not think John Williams is a coward, I am refering to an article in the Daily Telegraph that my Dad showed me a few years ago, I also saw it on the news. Bye! Glenn
12th April 2005	Colin Fielding Megan Having never met my Grandfather(John's son William) I'd be more than a little interested to know what you were told.