David Williams voluntarily joined the British Royal Marines as a 17-year-old. He was wounded three times, during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, during D-Day in Normandy and during the liberation of Walcheren. But he survived. In 1945, things take a turning for the worse. In early February 1945, David, serving in the British 41 Royal Marine Commando, is reported missing, possibly as a result of a boating accident, drowning in the icy river Maas. In 2010, during a major explosives detection project in the Overdiepse Polder on the banks of the Oude Maasje, the body of an allied soldier is found. After a long investigation, it turns out to be the mortal remains of David Williams.

It appears that he was found in February 1945 after all and given a field grave because a crucifix is found in his folded hands. On 8 June 2016, David Williams is given an honourable burial amid huge public interest. He is interred in a Commonwealth War Graves Commission grave at the Protestant cemetery in Waspik by a detachment of the Royal Marines, the same place where his comrades A. Brookes and C. Brandon are also buried.