R.H. Adamson
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Robert was the son of Pearson and Lucy Margaret (nee Potts) who married early in 1896. Robert was born on November 22nd 1896. The couple went on to have 6 children in total.
In 1901 Father, Pearson, was working as a lead miner. The family lived at Chapel Row, Rookhope. Robert has a younger sister, Hilda May. Pearson’s parents lived in the house next door.
By 1911 more children had arrived namely Florence Hannah, Pearson, Lucy Ann and baby Thomas Edward. Pearson still worked as a miner at the lead mine whilst 14 year old Robert was a lead ore dresser.
Robert enlisted at Rookhope. He arrived in France June 27th 1915 which was only 9 months before he was killed in action.
Robert’s battalion, 1/6th Durham Light Infantry (DLI), relieved the 5th Borders on February 6th 1916 and the various companies involved in the battle took up their allocated positions in the area of Armagh Wood. On the following day, enemy shelling caused the inevitable casualties. Private R.H. Adamson of Rookhope, was killed. Others were wounded.
February 8th 1916 was a day of heavy shelling, falling very largely on the support areas. Gas shells were fired into Ypres and Zillebeke; enemy aircraft were most audacious, flying very low over the trenches, spotting for their artillery. Rifle and machine gun fire failed to drive them off. Several more deaths and casualties occurred.
The cemetery where his body is buried is located at Zillebeke.
Monies due to Robert included a war gratuity amounted to £8.9s.5d but as he had previously been over credited the sum his father actually received was £6.10s.7d.
Medals :- 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
After the war Pearson and Lucy Margaret Adamson, were living at Princess Cottages, Rookhope.
Richard Hodgson Adamson is remembered at Rookhope on R51.01, R51.02 and R51.03
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 22
