Dr. C. R. MacGregor Williams MA (1889-1954) Collection

Includes pamphlets, leaflets, typed notes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, receipts, certificates and associated material.

Related Materials:
RMG holds a motion picture film reel (35mm, 600ft long, duration 5-10min), previously housed in a large film case marked 'Admiralty film circa 1941' [Alternative title; “MacGregor Williams Life Saving Method”], believed to be a film of the McGregor Williams method of life saving (filmed March/April 1941, being shown by June 1941). [RMG References: MSS/78/083.1 and safety film MSS/78/083.2]. There is currently no means of viewing this film at RMG.
Imperial War Museums also hold a copy of this film (Ref: ADM 5001 THE MCGREGOR-WILLIAMS METHOD OF LIFE SAVING) and provide a paid digitisation service, https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/7108.

Administrative / biographical background
Doctor McGregor Williams MA (1889-1954) was an assistant master at Varndean school, Brighton. In 1922 he discovered a new method of life saving when he rescued two boys from drowning in Brills Baths at Brighton. He offered his Life Saving Grip, a simple method of cupping the hand around the victim's chin, to the Royal Life Saving Society in 1923 but it was not adopted. Williams became headmaster at Uckfield School until its closure in 1930, when he became the first head of the new Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School in 1931, where he remained until his death in 1954. In 1939 , Dr Williams offered his method to the Admiralty. After extensive trials it was taken up and appeared subsequently in Admiralty Fleet Orders for 1940. The Army and the RAF followed suit and the Royal Life Saving Society also adopted Dr William's Grip in 1940. The method is credited with having saved many lives, especially during the war years.