Clifford Williams

Clifford Sidney John Williams (1916-1938) was the son of John and Kate, the older brother of Gerald, Herbert, Arthur, Pauline and Basil and the main person in The Fly Over report.

History
Williams was born in Charwick, the son of John and Kate. He had five younger siblings named Gerald, Herbert, Arthur, Pauline and Basil. He worked as a wheelwright for Sidney Dent.

On September 1, 1938, he had purchased a Vincent Rapide motorcycle and two days later committed robbery at G.M Jewellers in Charwick, along with Kenneth Ockwell. During the robbery he and Ockwell filled a duffel bag up with watches, rings, necklaces and bracelets. They were caught by Charlie Carroll, who worked for Ockwell’s father on his farm. The jeweller Gerry Matthews collapsed in front of Williams, before he followed Ockwell outside and made their escape on the motorcycle. They were then chased by Charlie Carroll, who lost sight of them after skidding into a pavement. Before long, they were travelling down the narrow Station Road and had a collision with Sidney Dent, who swerved into the middle of the road. Williams was then rushed to the nearest hospital Oldbury Village Hospital, where he died five days later, shortly after being arrested for robbery.

He was buried alongside his three younger brothers at St. Eric's Church in Charwick.