L/Cpl
Edwin John Adams
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1891 |
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Place of birth: Towcester, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Broadwell, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Cowman |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 19146 |
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Enlistment place: Solihull, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 14th Bn. (1st Birmingham) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Polderhoek, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 26 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: LVII Row: C Grave: 42 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Edwin John Adams was the son of Elizabeth and John Adams. He was born around 1891 in Towcester, Northamptonshire. Edwin lived in Broadwell, Gloucestershire and worked as a cowman. He enlisted in the British Army and was part of the 14th Battalion (1st Birmingham) Royal Warwickshire Regiment (13th Brigade, 5th Division).
Edwin died on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting positions that day were near Tower Hamlet for the B and D companies and near Northampton Farm for the A and C companies. The latter suffered one casualty on the way to the starting positions. The objective was to capture the area around Polderhoek and Château Wood.
At around 5.30 a.m., the Germans opened fire on the front line and supporting lines. The pill boxes near Tower Hamlet were particularly targeted. The objectives of the 13th Brigade were taken by the 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. The latter regiment suffered casualties from fire from a pill box south of the Meenseweg. The King's Own Scottish Borderers were held up around Polderhoek Château and requested a company from the 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment as reinforcement. The C Company was given this assignment and was in position at around 11 a.m. Throughout the day, German shelling continued unabated. The battalion suffered heavy losses: 20 killed, 83 wounded and 2 missing.
Edwin died at the age of 26. His body was found near Polderhoek after the war. Edwin was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Edwin died on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting positions that day were near Tower Hamlet for the B and D companies and near Northampton Farm for the A and C companies. The latter suffered one casualty on the way to the starting positions. The objective was to capture the area around Polderhoek and Château Wood.
At around 5.30 a.m., the Germans opened fire on the front line and supporting lines. The pill boxes near Tower Hamlet were particularly targeted. The objectives of the 13th Brigade were taken by the 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. The latter regiment suffered casualties from fire from a pill box south of the Meenseweg. The King's Own Scottish Borderers were held up around Polderhoek Château and requested a company from the 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment as reinforcement. The C Company was given this assignment and was in position at around 11 a.m. Throughout the day, German shelling continued unabated. The battalion suffered heavy losses: 20 killed, 83 wounded and 2 missing.
Edwin died at the age of 26. His body was found near Polderhoek after the war. Edwin was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Sources 6
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14 Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1556/1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 109. Sources used |
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Soldiers Effect Records(National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accesion Number: 1991-02-333). https://www.nam.ac.uk/ Sources used |
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War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War. (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 329). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461708 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=f0f3d94f-fc47-4156-ac7e-9a9e93eb78cb |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/633603 |