Copies of digital material relating to the career of Officer Oliver Nathaniel Williams (1936–2025), 2025
Content Description
Comprises eight digital files:
1. Copy of black-and-white photograph of Officer Williams, aged 17, in 1953 standing in the official receiving line during Queen Elizabeth II’s first tour of Jamaica as monarch;
2. Copy of photograph of Oliver Williams and his wife, Dr Bernice Williams, undated;
3. Copy of portrait photograph of Oliver Williams, undated;
4. Photograph of Jamaica Legion identity card;
5. Screenshot of article published online in 'The Jamaica Gleaner' in May 2025 reflecting on Williams's military career and the two occasions he was in the receiving line to meet Elizabeth II;
6. Screenshot of article published online in 'The Guardian' on 16 Sept. 2022 titled 'Moment of reckoning: Queen's death fuels Jamaica's republican movement' featuring photograph showing Williams in official receiving line to meet the Queen;
7. Copy of photograph featured in 'The Guardian' article on 16 Sept. 2022;
8. Photograph of burial headstone, 2025, Jamaica Defence Headquarters, Up-Park Camp.
Dates
- Creation: 2025
Conditions Governing Access
This is a digital collection. Please contact the RCS curator for access: rcs@lib.cam.ac.uk
Biographical / Historical
Oliver Nathaniel Williams (1936-2025) was a Jamaican army veteran. He trained at Newcastle, the training depot of the West Indies Federation’s Federal Defence Force, among the last cohort of soldiers to train under British military jurisdiction prior to Jamaica’s independence. As a cadet, he was in the receiving line to meet Elizabeth II during her 1953 tour of Jamaica. Post military service, Williams worked for the Issa Group and as Chief Financial Officer of the Lascelles Group. He also served as Vice-President of the Jamaica Legion, again in the receiving line to meet Elizabeth II on her 2022 visit. He was married to Dr Bernice Williams, former Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education in Jamaica and former faculty member at the University of the West Indies.
Extent
2.51 Megabyte(s) (8 digital files: 3 x PNG; 4 x JPG; 1 x JPEG. )
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Keisha Blair, daughter of Oliver Nathaniel Williams, in Dec. 2025.
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
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all other enquiries: specialcollections@lib.cam.ac.uk