RIP '300'
The Choir is sad to record the passing of Life Member, and former Marshall and member of the First Tenor Section, John ‘300’ Williams.
“John 300” as he has always been known in the Choir served in the Welsh Guards for 28 years and gained the ‘nickname' there. ‘300’ being the last three numbers of his army number and used to distinguish him from several other John Williams’ in the Regiment ! He served in Germany, Egypt, Cyprus, North Africa, Malaysia, Borneo, and the UK. After his service he went to work at De Bier’s London.
During this period John was asked to apply for The Queen’s Body Guard (Yeoman of the Guard) and was accepted. John served for 23 years and finished as Sgt Major in 2002. John’s duties were in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and St James Palace. Other royal duties were carried out at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
Born and brought up in Townhill,
Swansea, John was awarded The Royal Victoria Medal in 2000, In 2008 he was awarded a Malaysian Medal by the Military Attaché from the Malaysian Embassy London, on behalf of the King and Government of Malaysia. John is pictured receiving his Malaysian Medal
Speaking in 2008 John described the Choir as "like the Army in many respects: You work as a team and it’s great to be with others who believe as I do in integrity, loyalty and discipline. Like in all walks of life we are just like a family of which I am proud to be a member” added ‘300’.
John ‘300’ Williams served with distinction as the Choir’s Marshal and earned the respect of the Choir for the way in which he carried out these important duties. Not only was he a credit to his regiment but also to the Morriston Orpheus Choir: He will be sadly missed.
John's funeral, at Llanelli Crematorium, will be on Monday 6 January at 11:00am. It will be followed by a service at 12:45 in Murton Methodist Church.
