Edward Gordon Williams (20 July 1888 – 12 August 1915) was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics

1908 Summer Olympics

The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...

. He was killed in action during the First World War.

Williams was born at Honiton

Honiton

Honiton is a town and civil parish in East Devon, situated close to the River Otter, north east of Exeter in the county of Devon. The town's name is pronounced in two ways, and , each pronunciation having its adherents...

, Devon and educated at Eton

Eton College

Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....

 and Trinity College, Cambridge

Trinity College, Cambridge

Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...

. He rowed for Cambridge

Cambridge University Boat Club

The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...

 in the Boat Race in 1908. The Cambridge crew made up a boat in the eight

Eight (rowing)

An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....

s which won the bronze medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics

Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics

At the 1908 Summer Olympics, four rowing events were contested, all for men only. Races were held at Henley-on-Thames. The competitions were held from July 28, 1908 to July 31, 1908. There was one fewer event in 1908 than 1904, after the double sculls was dropped from the programme...

. He rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race in 1909 and also in 1909 partnered Banner Johnstone

Banner Johnstone

Banner Carruthers Johnstone was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.Johnstone was born in Bebington, then in Cheshire and educated at Eton, where he was captain of the boats, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. At Cambridge he rowed in the head of the river four times and won...

 to win the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...

 against Julius Beresford

Julius Beresford

Julius Beresford , also known as Berry or The Old Berry, was a British rower and coach who competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Life:...

 and Karl Vernon

Karl Vernon

Karl Vernon , sometimes known by his nickname The Bean was a British rower and coach who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Life:Vernon was born in Neuenahr, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany...

. He raced in the 1910 Boat Race.

Williams was appointed as a colonial administrator in North-Western Rhodesia

North-Western Rhodesia

North-Western Rhodesia in south central Africa was formed and administered from 1891 under charter by the British South Africa Company which in 1890 had signed a treaty with King Lewanika of the Barotse, the most powerful traditional ruler in the territory...

. He then served in the First World War as a lieutenant with the Grenadier Guards

Grenadier Guards

The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...

. He was killed in action near Béthune

Béthune

Béthune is a city in northern France, sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department.-Geography:Béthune is located in the former province of Artois. It is situated South-East of Calais, West of Lille, and North of Paris.-Landmarks:...

 and was buried at St. Vernant Communal Cemetery nearby.