Newcastle Journal Friday 17/11/1916

Newcastle Journal Monday 02/11/1916

Medal Index Card

Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner

Francis Douglas Adamson was born on the 8th October 1891, at South Westoe Vicarage, South Shields, the second son and brother to Cuthbert Adamson, to the Reverend Edward Cuthbert Adamson, M. A., [born 27th June 1847, Heworth, died 4th May 1922], Rector of Houghton-le-Spring, and Rural Dean, [the first vicar of St Michael's & All Angels, South Shields, and formerly curate of St Hilda's], with his wife Clara Isabel, [born 1866, Whickham], daughter of a P. Haggie.

They had four children, Edward Blythman Adamson born 1890, Cuthbert Adamson, born 1897, and Mary Adamson born 1899, all born at South Shields.

His father in 1891 was residing at St Michaels Church Vicarage in Westoe, South Shields. And were still there in 1901. By the 17th October 1910, he had been appointed rector of Houghton-Le-Spring, and he received a parting gift from the members of the South Shields Education Committee. Making the presentation at the conclusion of the committee meeting, the Chairman (Ald. J. Donald) pointed out that Mr Adamson had been a member of the old School Board and the Education Committee which succeeded it for the long period of nineteen years. On behalf of the committee he then presented to Mr Adamson, Hastings Dictionary of the Bible'. Also on the 12th January 1911, he also received a handsome presentation sunscibed for by the members of St Michael's congregation, the Sunday School and choir. The proceedings took the form of a musical evening which was held in the Parish Hall, Westoe. The chairman eulogised the work of Mr Adamson and commented on the fact that during his 32 years incumbency of the parish, he has been instrumental in providing a handsome church and tower, a parish hall, and lady chapel, and had built up a large congregation. The testimonial fund had raised over £100. He was a curate under the late Canon Chester at St Hilda's, and when he was appointed vicar of the newly constituted parish of South Westoe there was no church. The gifts consisted of a gold watch and chain, a case of cutlery, case of fish knives and forks, a large library table, a small library table chair, a document chest and Bible.

Francis was educated at South Shields High School from the 13th September 1899, and left in July 1906, then Durham School, from September 1906 to 1910, finally at St John's College, Cambridge. He graduated in 1913 with a B.A.

He also was a member of the Middle Temple and was admitted on the 26th April 1913.

He enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers the Public Schools Battalion, from where Francis attended the Royal Military College at Sandhurst.

Francis was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the Border Regiment on the 17th March 1915, and was promoted to a Lieutenant on the 15th August 1915.

2nd Battalion, 4th August 1914 Stationed at Pembroke Dock and then moved to Lyndhurst to join the 20th Brigade of the 7th Division. On the 6th October 1914, they were mobilised for war and landed at Zeebrugge and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;During 1914, The First Battle of Ypres. December 1914. This Battalion took part in the Christmas Truce of 1914.During 1915. The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy, The Battle of Loos. During 1916, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, Operations on the Ancre. During 1917The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Arras offensive, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle, The Second Battle of Passchendaele. November 1917 Moved to Italy to strengthen the Italian resistance. 4th November 1918 Ended the war in Italy, Pozzo east of Pordenone.

Francis was killed near Givenchy on the 16th November 1915.

A brother office wrote to his father :- I have always admired your son, as we all did. In losing him, the regiment has lost one of its bravest and most promising of young officers. He was unmarried.

In his will dated 13th December he left £90 6s 6d to Reverend Cuthbert Edward Adamson Clerk.

His mother and father was residing at 1, Belford Terrace, Sunderland, where his father had retired.

Francis Douglas Adamson is remembered at Houghton le Spring on H132.01 and H132.02

He is also remembered at the Inner Temple archive.

Inner Temple Archive
South Shields Grammar School
The CWGC entry for Lieutenant Adamson