Pte 22002 Albert Edward Adams

• Age: 23
• From: Widnes
• Regiment: 13th KLR
• Died on Thursday 3rd May 1917
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Bay 3

Albert Edward Adams was born in the September quarter of 1893, probably at 49 Gladstone Street, Widnes, the son of Thomas Adams and his wife Ann (nee Chettoe) both from Shropshire, who had married on the 21st September 1874 at the Parish Church, Farnworth, Widnes. Thomas was a 21 year old labourer, his father William, whilst Ann was aged 20, her father William, both of Appleton, near Warrington.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 49 Widnes Road, Widnes. His father, Thomas, is aged 47, a carter born Astley, Shropshire, mother Ann is aged 47, born Harmer Hill, Shropshire. They have seven children in the household all of whom were born in Widnes: Mary E. 18, Thomas H. 15 a grocers assistant, Annie 14, Adelina 11, Fanny 9, Albert is shown as a 7 year old scholar, and May 6. 

The 1911 Census self completed by his father Thomas at 84 Lugsdale Road, Widnes, shows himself as a 57 year old carter and his wife Ann, also 57, with 19 year old daughter, Fanny and Albert aged 17 an office clerk in a Soap Works. It also shows that Thomas and Ann had been married for 36 years and had fourteen children, five of whom sadly died pre 1911. (Alice 1876, Beatrice 1899, Adelina 1903, Annie 1903 & May 1904). Albert was the twelfth child of the fourteen born, he had two younger sisters and one elder brother and ten elder sisters.

On 05th November 1914 Albert then aged 21 years and 110 days enlisted in the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22002. He is described as being 5 foot 6 inches, with a 36 inch chest, weighing 122 pounds. He is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. His religion is stated as Methodist. He listed his father Thomas Adams as his next of kin, he was now living at 8 Wood Street, Widnes.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

While training between 5 November 1914 and 7 November 1915 he had two infringements, where pay was docked for being AWOL half a day 14th June 1915 and AWOL overnight 26th June 1915.

On 07th November 1915 he and was posted with his Battalion to France for 361 days until 02nd November 1916 when he was then home for 43 Days.

He returned to France and was posted to the 13th Battalion from 16 December 1916 for 139 days until 03rd May 1917.

Albert was part of 13th Btn when on 01st May 1917 they moved from Arras. The battalion diary records the events of the action in which Albert was killed: 

"Throughout the night of 1st /2nd May the Bosche had placed a heavy gas shell, shrapnel and high explosive barrage, on the whole area West of Monchy and the ground South of it. The Barrage threw the back area into confusion.

At 3.45 a.m. on 3 May 1917 commenced The Third Battle of The Scarpe our 3rd Barrage in spite of the Gas and lachrymatory fumes which hung about our batteries near Monachy, opened up punctually, it was followed almost immediately by the Enemy's barrage. Two Companies of the 13th moved out of the front trench. Strong Lewis Gun Fire was maintained on the Enemy's front line to prevent his escaping the barrage by leaving his trenches.

A hostile counter attack was launched at the leading companies from the North and North  East.
It was beaten back..........A second and strong hostile counter attack which was delivered from the Northern flank, was met very gallantly, but the line was by this time so thin, no support having come up, that a withdrawal was necessary to prevent the troops being cut off."

The Kingsmen consolidated their position, though constantly under heavy fire.

The Battalion lost 10 Officers in that attack but the Battalion Diary does not give other Ranks Casualties. However, the Brigade HQ Diary for May 1917 records total losses of the 13th King's from 2nd to 12th May 1917 as 12 Officers and 46 Other Ranks Killed in Action with 32 Missing and 139 Wounded.

Albert Edward Adams aged 23 was one of those statistics.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France at Bay 3.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

Soldiers Effect to father Thomas, pension to mother Ann, 8 Wood Street, Widnes. 

His father died aged 69 in the June quarter of 1923, his mother died aged 70 in the June quarter of 1925. 

Albert Edward is also commemorated on the war memorial at St Ambrose Church, Widnes and the Widnes War Memorial located in Victoria Park, Birchfield Road, Widnes.

We currently have no further information on Albert Edward Adams, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.