Frank Adams
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Baptised Francis, registration of marriage in the name of Francis and named Francis on census 1891-1911. Attested as Frank Adams. Francis was the son of John and Caroline Adams née Lees (or Leas). His father John was born in Shardlow, Derbyshire, in about 1865 and his mother Caroline was born in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, in 1867 (J/A/S Shardlow), the daughter of George and Elizabeth Lees. They were married in 1888 (O/N/D Shardlow Derbyshire); the Banns were read in the parishes of Shardlow and Castle Donington on 30 September, 8 October and 14 October 1888. John and Caroline had three sons who were all baptised at Bulwell St Mary the Virgin and All Souls: Francis b. Derbyshire 1891 bap. 19 July 1891; John George b. Bulwell 1893 bap. 21 June 1893 and Ernest Adams b. Bulwell birth registered 1896 (J/F/M Basford) bap. 26 February 1896 d. 1896 (J/A/S Basford). In 1891 John (26), a bricklayers' labourer, and Caroline (23) were living at 27 Hempshill Lane, Bulwell, with their son Francis (1). John was born two years later in 1893; according to the baptismal register the family was still living on Hempshill Lane. rnest was born in 1896; he died before his first birthday. In February 1896 when Ernest was baptised the famiiy was living on China Street, Bulwell, and Caroline was recorded on the 1901 Census at 11 China Street. She was married but head of household and working from home in the hosiery trade. Also in the home were her two surviving sons, Francis and John (8). John died five years later in 1906 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 12. Francis married Elizabeth Williams in 1910 (J/A/S Nottingham). His wife was born on 3 July 1890 in Mosley, Staffordshire, the daughter of Samuel and Louisa (née Truss, m. 4 May 1890 Willenhall, Staffordshire). Her father died in 1899 aged 33 and in 1901 his widow, a charwoman, was living in Willenhall with her six children including Elizabeth (10), her eldest child. In 1911 Francis (21), a coal miner hewer, and Elizabeth (20) were living at 8 Jennison Street, Bulwell, with their first child, Francis George (b. 12 December 1910). Also in the household was Francis' mother, Caroline Adams, married and a hosiery worker (at home). His father has not been traced after 1896 and appears to have left his wife and children by 1901. Francis and Elizabeth's second child, Albert, was born the following year on 25 May 1912. Francis had joined the Territorial Force in March 1912; he gave his address as 31 Hempshill Lane, Bulwell. A report of his death in the local paper gave Frank's address as 5 Lissom Yard, Hucknall. However, Elizabeth was living at 16 Vere Street, Bulwell, in October 1915 when her husband's possessions were returned to her. In May 1919 she completed a form for the Army in May 1919 listing Frank's surviving blood relatives - she and her sons were living at 17 Main Street, Bulwell. Elizabeth also included the names of Frank's parents, John and Caroline, on the form but added in each case, 'not known whether alive or dead' but gave the name and address of his grandmother, Elizabeth Adams, of 19 Strelley Street, Bulwell. The later CWGC record gives his widow's address as 37 Alfreton Road, Nottingham. Caroline Adams put an 'In Memoriam' notice to her son in the local paper in April 1916. Her two sons who died young were buried in Bulwell St Mary churchyard and she was also buried there; the gravestone gives her date of death as 17 May 1937, aged 69. Francis's widow Elizabeth died on 20 May 1947; she also was buried in Bulwell St Mary cemetery. Francis' son Francis George married Constance I Hobson (b. 23 February 1908) in 1936 (J/F/M Nottingham). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled he and Constance were living on Beech Avenue, Beeston; he was a motor driver transport. Francis George died in 1988 (J/F/M Spilsby). His second son Albert married Winifred G Waterfall (b. 22 July 1907) in 1935 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1939 Albert, a cycle viewer, and Winifred, a hosiery worker, were living in Nottingham. He died on 20 December 1987; the probate record gave his address as Broxtowe, Nottingham.
Frank attested on 5 March 1912 in the Territorial Force (8th Bn Sherwood Foresters) on a 4 year engagement. He was 22y. 7m. old and worked as a collier. He unertook preliminary training and then attended two annual camps: Abermaide, near Aberystwith, Wales, 4 August 1912-18 August 1912 and Thoresby Park , Nottinghamshire, 27 July 1913-10 August 1913. He joined the 1/8th Bn on embodied service on 5 August 1914 and served with the Battalion with the BEF France from 2 March 1915. He was killed in the trenches in the area of Kemmel on 20 April 1914. just 49 days after landing in France. He was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. E.64). He served a total of 2 years 362 days (including time in the Territorial Force). He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery (extract): 'Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed.'
Family grave and headstone, Bulwell (St Mary) churchyard: 'In loving memory of John George, the beloved son of John & Caroline Adams, who died January 21st 1906 in his (-) year. Also of Ernest their son, who died in infancy, two less on earth. Two more in heaven. Jesus said weep not. And of Frank Adams, son of the above, who was killed in France April 20th 1915 aged 25 years. Death divides, memory clings. Also Caroline Adams, mother of the above, died May 17th 1937 aged 69 years. Resting.' Battalion war diary entry, TNA WO 95/2695/2): “A very unlucky day for the Battn. – we lose 6 men in the trenches. Sergt. Wilmore (B Co.) [2] is the greatest loss – the others killed were 2243 Pte. J. Wright, [3] C Co., 2712 Trickett, [4] D Co., 2791 Beresford, [5] B Co., 1418 Adams, A Co., Mayman [6] A Co. In 3 cases the men were shot over parapet – They must use periscopes and loopholes for day work.” [2] Sgt. George Thomas Percival Wilmore, “B” Company, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action – according to the regimental history and Commonwealth War Graves Commission – on 21st April 1915. Buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, he was the son of Sophia Brewster. [3] Pte. John William Wright, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action on 20th April 1915. Buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, he was the 18 year-old son of Joseph and Florence Wright, of Mansfield. [4] Pte. Henry Trickett, “D” Company, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action on 20th April 1915. Buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, he was the 21 year-old son of Kate Biggs of 37 Albert Street, Newark. [5] Pte. Joseph Beresford, “B” Company, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action – according to the regimental history and Commonwealth War Graves Commission – on 21st April 1915. [6] Pte. Thomas Henry Mayman, “A” Company, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action – according to the regimental history and Commonwealth War Graves Commission – on 21st April 1915. Buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, he was the husband of Mary Ellen Mayman. Above courtesy of Jim Grundy, facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Note: all the above men of the 1/8th Battalion are commemorated on this Roll of Honour. Personal possessions were sent on 22 October 1915 to his widow Elizabeth Adams, 16 Vere Street, Bulwell, and comprised: 2.tobacco pouches, pipe, wrist watch and strap, case containing notebooks postcards, service books, 2.housewives, matchbox, cap cover, purse containing farthing [coin worth ¼d)], corkscrew, identity disc, manicure scissors, purse containing locket and ring, (-), pencils and rubber, tweezers, Patri tio badge, first aid box, clasp knife, burnisher, tin containing stamps, holdall containing knife and fork, razor and hair brush. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: widow Elizabeth b. 3 July 1890, children Francis George b. 2 December 1910 and Albert b. 25 May 1912. His widow was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 6 pence a week for herself and her two sons; first payment made 29 November 1915. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 20 April 1916: Adams. In loving memory of my dear son, Frank Adams, of Bulwell, killed in action April 20th, 1915, aged 25. Till we meet again. Loving mother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 22 May 1947: ‘Adams. May 20th, Elizabeth passed away. Peace after pain. Interment Bulwell Church Cemetery, Saturday 9.45. Sorrowing family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
