- officer, leader, gentleman
13 May 2008
If Colonel Lindsay George Williams, OBE, MC had a motto, it would be either Lead from the Front, or Soldiers First.
He was an instinctive leader, but the deeply private Army officer tempered his style of leadership with compassion, humility, and a desire to constantly ensure the welfare of his soldiers.
“LG” or “Lindsay George” as he was known was one of New Zealand’s original SAS members. The Wellington-born son of a tradesman graduated from his Regular Force commissioning course in Waiouru in the mid-50s, and was a National Service Platoon Commander in Burnham when the call came to serve in Malaya. A difficult guerrilla war was taking hold in that country and as well as maritime and air components, New Zealand decided to contribute an SAS squadron to serve in the jungle alongside a British Commonwealth Brigade. The SAS squadron, affectionately known as the Pilgrims, was also The Originals, the forbears of the current 1 NZSAS Group.
He travelled to Malaya where he joined his Troop – 5 Troop, which was on operations in the Malayan jungle. One of his troopers recalls the fresh-faced, pale skinned officer jumping from his truck to join his sun tanned soldiers. “I thought, ‘oh dear, what have we got here?”
“Within two hours though he had tasked the patrol up a huge hill, and everyone else was soon lagging behind their new troop commander. What better way to establish your mark on your troops than by leading from the front? That was how he used to do things, he would never ask people to do things he wouldn’t do himself.”
LG cut his teeth in Malaya. In February 1958 he returned home to New Zealand to take up the position of adjutant, and held various staff and regimental appointments, including another tour to Malaya. In June 1967, by then a Major, he was posted to 1 RNZIR as a Company Commander and deployed to Vietnam as Officer Commanding Whisky 2 (W2) Company. It was to be a very intense tour of duty, and one in which he lost eight men, substantially more than any other rifle company at the time. It was a very different enemy from that which he had faced in Malaya; organised, intense, and in much larger numbers.
His actions during those 12 months earned him the Military Cross for gallantry. Despite the award being conferred directly to him, he always maintained it was in recognition of the whole company’s tour. The MC in fact related to his abilities to orchestrate the support required to defeat a large and superior force, and the use of his personal influence to lead, command and achieve objectives.
The loss of his eight soldiers that year affected him deeply. On confirmation of each of their deaths he wrote immediately to their families, and also spoke to their fellow soldiers, offering reassurance and comfort, a trait which his soldiers respected and admired.
On his return from Vietnam he was posted back to Wellington to join Army General Staff, and over the next 17 years undertook a number of postings including Army General Staff NZ instructor, Australian Staff College Queenscliff, Commandant Papakura Camp, Chief of Staff Royal Fiji Military Forces, and Commander 3rd Task Force. His final posting prior to retirement was as the Deputy Head, Defence Liaison Staff, Canberra.
LG, explains his son, LTCOL Evan Williams, had always seen the value in mentoring young officers and soldiers, and continued do so, becoming part of a programme promoted by the then Chief of Army, now CDF, LTGEN Jerry Mateparae. It involved retired senior officers providing counsel for their still -serving, more junior fellow officers. He gave leadership presentations to a number of the Army Schools’ courses over a 14 year period, and also served eight years as the Honorary Colonel of the RNZMP.
The loss of a soldier in combat is one of the most difficult situations a Commander can face; LTCOL Williams found himself turning to his father when one of his own soldiers, Private Leonard Manning was killed in East Timor in 2001.
“Our current Army doesn’t, thankfully, have much experience in losing soldiers. Dad was one of the first people I contacted (after Private Manning’s death). I knew he would have sage advice for me both personally and professionally. And he did.”
LTCOL Williams says that while his father enjoyed his staff positions, his real passion was leading soldiers. “He was a soldier’s officer and at his best with his men. He was also a great family man, and always put us first. He was extremely well organised and unselfish, and very particular about integrity and personal presentation. He wasn’t a showy sort of person but as a family we knew we were very much loved.”
Lindsay George was a keen sportsman who represented Wellington, the New Zealand Army and the NZDF at both cricket and rugby. He also played golf as a pastime but, according to his family, saw it more as a good way to spoil a good walk.
His funeral in Christchurch was attended by CDF, LTGEN Mateparae, himself a former SAS member, DCA, Brigadier Phil Gibbons, and other senior military personnel. His casket was carried out of the church by three Platoon Commanders, the Company 2IC, CSM and Company medic of W2, his company. It was carried through a Guard of Honour of former SAS members.
In a eulogy former CDF, LTGEN (Rtd) Sir John Mace, who served with Colonel Williams in Vietnam, said his friend was dedicated, loyal and forthright. “He was an officer who was both meticulous and decisive, and who firmly believed the strength of the Army lay within its soldiers.” Others who spoke described him as a “great soldier”.
Colonel (Rtd) Lindsay George Williams died in Christchurch on April 18, 2008, after fighting cancer. He is survived by his wife Ann, children Jane, Evan, and Sally Ann, and five grandchildren.
Sources: HQ, NZDF Library, COL. M Dransfield, the Williams family.