Sgt 58663 Charles Adams

Charles (Charley) Adams was born in late 1880 in Brighton, Sussex, the son of Benjamin Thomas Adams and Catherine (Kate), née Tyrrell/Terrell (spellings vary). Benjamin was born in Cradley, Worcestershire and Kate in Roscommon, Ireland. They married in Dublin in 1875 whilst Benjamin was stationed there with the 5th Dragoon Guards. His father had enlisted in 1864 in Birmingham. The family moved around to various postings: Edward Henry was born in Ireland about 1875, Benjamin in Manchester in 1878, and  Charles in Brighton 1880. 

 

In 1881 the family are living in the Cavalry Barracks, Great Brook Street, Aston, Warwickshire. His father is a corporal in the 5th Dragoon Guards. Kate, with Edward, Benjamin, and Charles, is living in the family quarters in barracks. Charles is 3 months old. 

 

His father was discharged on 21st November, 1882, after which the family spent time in Liverpool, where George was born in 1883, then Birmingham, where Eliza was born in 1885, before settling in the Manchester area, where Willie 1888, Albert 1890, and Lily 1898 were born.

 

In 1891 they are living in Openshaw, Manchester, with seven children, at 18 Croft Street.  His father is a general laborer, Charley is 10.

 

On 11th August 1897, Charley enlisted in Preston with the 5th North Lancs Regiment (Militia), given the regimental number #4871,  stating his age as 17 years and 9 months (he added a year). He performed 43 days of drill whilst with the Militia.

 

On 22nd September 1897 Charley enlisted in Warrington in the Liverpool Regiment, as Private 5820, giving his age as 18 years and his occupation as foundry laborer.  He is described as being 5’ 5 and 3/4 inches tall, weighing 118 lbs, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair, with a scar in his right shin. He gives his religion as Roman Catholic and his next of kin his father at 10 Churchfield Street, Openshaw. 

 

He joined for seven years with the colors but in 1904 extended for another year and was transferred to Army Reserve in November 1905.  His military record shows that Charlie served -

Home 22/9/1897 - 6/5/1899 (incl. Belfast)

South Africa 7/5/1899 - 6/11/1902

India 7/11/1902 - 16/11/1905 (incl. Rangoon)

Home 17/11/1905 - 21/9/1909

 

Whilst in South Africa Charley earned decorations including the Queen’s South Africa medal and clasps, the Defence of Ladysmith, and the King’s South Africa medal and clasps.

 

During his career Charley committed a number of offenses (e.g., insolence to an NCO, being drunk, breaking out of barracks, irregular conduct when a sentry on outpost duty, disobedience of orders), typically being punished by being confined to barracks for 10 or 14 days. He earned no Good Conduct Badges but was discharged on 21/9/1909, with Good Character, having completed his 12 years service.

 

He married Elizabeth Ann Davies in St. John the Baptist Church, Hulme, Manchester, on 04th November 1906, giving his age as 26 and his occupation as striker (in a foundry) and his address as 27 Canning Street. There appear to be no children born to the marriage. It may be relevant that, whilst in Rangoon in 1904 Charlie was hospitalized twice for gonorrhea, which can affect fertility.

 

His description for the Army Reserve states his age as 30 years and 4 months, height 5’ 9”, chest 38”, helmet size 21, boot size 8, and multiple tattoos: bracelet around neck, bust of female on right shoulder, soldier on left shoulder, large dragon on breast, both arms extensively tattooed. His address is 5 Mill Street, Dukinfield, Cheshire; he is married.

 

Charley attested again on 19th January 1910 and was discharged on 18th January 1914 on termination of engagement. 

The 1911 Census shows them living at 51 Throstle Bank, Hyde. Charles is aged 30, born 1881 and working as a labourer for a cotton manufacturer and his wife Elizabeth Ann is aged 32, born 1879 in Ashton upon Mersey and she is a trimmer.

 

Charley enlisted in Manchester and was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Sergeant No 58663 when he died of wounds on the 11th October, 1917. He died at Brook War Hospital, Woolwich. CWGC shows his age as 39, but his age from census records would be 36.

Charley is commemorated on the Screen Wall at Greenwich Cemetery, London. Screen Walls are a type of memorial for Commonwealth War Dead, they are predominantly used to record the names of individuals who have a known grave but where it is not possible to erect a CWGC headstone or the exact location of the grave is no longer known.

Greenwich Cemetery contains 561 First World War burials. More than half of these graves are scattered throughout the cemetery, but 263 form a large war graves plot known as 'Heroes' Corner'. Here, two curved screen walls bear the names of casualties buried both in the plot and in unmarked graves in the cemetery. A small group of 24 Commonwealth war graves can be found in the front corner of Section Z.

The Second World War plot adjoins and contains 75 graves. An additional screen wall (designed by Ralph Hobday) commemorates casualties buried in this plot and ten others buried in unmarked graves elsewhere in the cemetery. In all, the cemetery contains 124 Second World War burials, 3 of which are unidentified British soldiers.

Section E contains a plot of 30 Norwegian service graves from the Second World War.

His wife placed a notice in the Manchester Evening News on 15th October 1917:“In memory of my dear husband, Sergt. Charley Adams, of King’s Liverpool Regt., 58663, who died Oct. 11, 1917 of wounds received on August 1. From his sorrowing wife (née Fanny Davies) and sister-in-law (Mrs. Mallinson). 51, Throstle Bank, Hyde, Cheshire.”

Elizabeth received his effects of £20-17-10d, a War Gratuity of £17, and a pension of 16/3d a week.

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