Richard Adams was born at Alnwick, Northumberland, April 4th 1898, one of 4 children of whom he was the 2nd born of 3 surviving sons. Both his parents were born in Northumberland, father Thomas at Wark in 1865, mother Elizabeth Straughan born September 12th 1862 at Hepburn, Egleston. Thomas and Elizabeth were married at Chatton, district of Glendale, Northumberland, February 4th 1893, in 1901 they and their 3 sons were living at 7, Hawick Street, Alnwick with his widowed father who was a shepherd, Thomas was employed as a fireman by 1911, they had moved and were living in two rooms at Gills Hall, Alnwick, his elder brother Thomas William was employed by Dixon Brothers as an apprentice baker while he and his brother George William were scholars.

When a state of war was declared with Germany in 1914 Richard was 16 years of age, still too young to enlist and also below the legal limit of 19 years for service overseas. Having enlisted during 1916 when he turned 18, he arrived at the front aged 19 years in 1917, assigned to the Machine Gun Corps, just as news of the demise of his brother Private Thomas William Adams reached his family. Within 3 weeks he also was suffering the consequences of war, shelled and gassed in the trenches he was taken to a St. John’s Hospital in France. The effect of the gas caused him stomach problems which remained with him for the rest of his life. After the Armistice he was discharged and returned to civilian life. Recipient of the British War Medal and Service Medal

Richard was married in the district of Alnwick March 15th 1925 to Catherine Maud Tully born December 22nd 1900, at Wooler, registration district of Glendale, Northumberland, with whom he had 2 children, Winifred May born November 10th 1926 and Thomas February 26th 1929. In 1939 Richard and Catherine were living alone at 7, East Parade, Alnwick, where he was employed as a fishing rod maker, Winifred was attending school at the first purpose built children’s tuberculosis sanatorium in the UK, at Stannington Sanatorium, the same may have applied to their son Thomas although I have been unable to find a record to confirm this.

Richard Adams of 7, Waggon Way, Alnwick, died during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1975 registered in the district of Northumberland North Second, aged 77 years.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Richard Adams is remembered at Alnwick on A11.03, A11.09 and A11.12