Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Adamson was born at Ridley, Northumberland in 1882 where the family were living at Ridley Cottages, his father William Snr. was employed as game keeper at the 16th century Ridley Hall. William Jnr was one of 9 children, of whom only 5 survived, 2 sons and 3 daughters, mother Jane Shepherd, born 1854 at Longthorpe, Yorkshire. His parents were married in 1878 in Yorkshire, by 1891 they had moved to Urpeth Cottages, Urpeth, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, his father still a game keeper, William aged 9 years and his siblings were scholars. William followed in his father’s footsteps listed in 1901, at the age of 19, as a game watcher.
William Adamson enlisted, March 24rd 1903 as Private 223 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and re-engaged April 1st year on year for a period of 1 year. In 1904 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, by 1908 to Lance Corporal. He married in January 1908 in the district of Chester-le-Street Mary Ellen Dent, born July 3rd 1886 at West Hartlepool, their son William was born July 3rd 1908 at Ouston, followed by Norman, December 6th 1909 and Henry, May 5th 1913.
March 31st 1913 he re-engaged at Birtley, January 3rd 1915 he was promoted as number 223 to the rank of Company Serjeant Mayor. May 25th 1915 C.S.M. Adamson was at North Leam Camp, Heworth attached to the 2/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and when they were disbanded in 1917 to the 1/8th Battalion.
He re-engaged for the final time April 1st 1916 and under Army Order 204/1916 (compulsory transfer) was transferred from the 2nd/8th, a Territorial Battalion to a fighting unit, assigned the new number of 300014. A few days after his transfer, April 7th 1917 his wife gave birth to their daughter Doris.
He was drafted to France via Folkestone, July 4th 1917 arriving at Boulogne the same day, July 20th 1917 he was posted to the 13th Battalion D.L.I. attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division and joined them in the field on the 22nd in Belgium at Messines. In September of that year they saw action during the Third Battle of Ypres in the fighting on the Menin Road and the following month in the Aisne sector.
Company Serjeant Major 300014 William Adamson Durham Light Infantry was killed in action October 5th 1918 and initially buried at Beaurevoir Communal Cemetery German Extension. After Armistice the graves of 70 men who died during 1917-1918 were exhumed and brought into Beaurevoir British Cemetery in Rows AA, BB, B, C, and G. C.S.M. William Adamson is at rest grave G 12. He was 36 years old at the time of his demise.
He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, reserved for exceptional acts of bravery, October 30th 1918. The citation reads, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack he walked continually up and down his company front under heavy fire, encouraging his men and directing their fire. When the attack broke down he went out into “No Man’s Land” and brought in several un-wounded and wounded prisoners. Throughout the battle he set a splendid example of courage and determination to all”.
His widow Mary Ellen received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children along with his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and D.C.M. sent to her at Heworth Crossing, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. She remarried during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/ Mar) 1922, in the district of Hartlepool to Demetrius Georgopoulos. Mary Ellen Georgopoulos-Adamson nee Dent died aged 86 years, January 28th 1973 in the district of Hartlepool.
Details of William and Mary Ellen’s children; William Adamson born 1908 married at Hartlepool in 1933 Doris Tunstall born April 4th 1911, County Durham and with whom he had 3 children, Anne Adamson 1937-1938, Colin 1939-1985 and Angela Margaret 1944-2002. William died aged 58, December 7th 1966 his wife Doris aged 75, September 27th 1986, both registered in the districts of Hartlepool/Cleveland.Norman Adamson born 1909 left the port of London aboard the, “Mamilius”, of The Aberdeen Line, October 22nd 1926, aged 16 years, bound for Sydney, Australia along with 7 others, address given c/o Salvation Army, 3 Upper Thomas Street. He enlisted in the Australian Army, number NX2119 during WW2. Having survived the conflict he married in 1944 at Coffs Harbour, N.S.W. Coral Hope Monk, it would seem they divorced as she remarried in 1959 Charles Robert Clare and died age 87, December 15th 2007 at Grafton N.S.W. Norman Adamson died at Sydney N.S.W. Australia aged 70 years in 1980.Henry Adamson born 1913 died at Dover, Kent in 1966 aged 53 years.Doris Adamson born 1917 died April 12th 1998 at Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, aged 81 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Adamson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 at Birtley on B127.13 at Durham in the Battalion History
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance
