Next Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

This is the final postcard sent home for Christmas.

This post card was also printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto'. The printed message on the reverse reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

This postcard is addressed to A.G.Adams' eldest brother, A.P. Adams (Arthur Parker Adams), who lived on his sheep farm 'Bidgemia', outside the town of Urana in the Riverina district of New South Wales, Australia.

The front of the postcard depicts a young rubber plantation.

And the reverse reads:

'Hot as Hades and raining a fair amount. Good trip not much excitement. AGA.'

This card was probably written whilst on board the H.M.A.T. Orvieto and then posted on arrival at Egypt.

Another Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

This Christmas postcard is quite similar to the last card.

It was printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and includes the printed message which reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

This post card shows a picture of 'Adams Peak', which no doubt amused A.G. Adams who shared its name.

The reverse shows that the Christmas postcard was sent to A.G. Adams' mother, Mrs Guy Sherwood, who was travelling with her husband in New Zealand.

The hand-written note says: 'Best of luck for Xmas and New Year. AGA.'

I think that the card was written whilst at sea on the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and then posted on arrival at Egypt in early December 1914.

Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

A.G. Adams sent three post cards home for Christmas.

All three postcards were printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto'. Two have a printed message on the reverse which reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

The first of these postcards is addressed to Athol's step-father, Mr Guy Sherwood.

The hand-written note says:

 'Have you ever seen anything like this? AGA'.

I think that the card was written whilst at sea on the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and then posted on arrival at Egypt in early December 1914.

5th Battalion arrives Mena Camp

The 5th Battalion reached Cairo on 5th December. On arrival at the railway station the Battalion formed up and passed canteen tables with each soldier served cocoa, a small bread roll and a segment of cheese by British tommies. They then marched eight miles west to the Mena Camp. There was not time to set up camp so they slept in the open. All around them was sand and above was a rocky plateau that stretched east towards the Pyramids.

In the next few days and weeks, the soldiers worked to create the camp. Through the middle was to be a crushed limestone track which was named 'Infantry Road'. Fatigue parties carried stone to form battalion boundaries.

The 2nd Brigade Headquarters was at the end of Infantry Road nearby were the 2nd and 1st Brigades which included the 5th Battalion. Other structures which rose out of the sand included the YMCA hut, the boxing 'stadium', canteens dry and wet, the cinema 'palace'. The Light Horse were also based at the Mena Camp.

Nearby was Mena House surrounded by Eucalyptus trees. This old building was now staffed as a hospital.

Egypt was hot. Our troops had expected to be sent from Australia to England. They thought they would be in a chilly English November for a short time before being sent to France to fight the Kaiser's men. The AIF were in heavyweight woolen tunics and thick corded breeches suitable for a Winter in Europe. In contrast, the British troops in Egypt were in light khaki drill and pith helmets. It was a long time before the Australians were provided suitable clothing. The AIF were permitted to purchase drill shorts and pith helmets privately. The majority of the 5th Battalion did eventually wear shorts while the wide-brimmed slouch hat became the more popular hat. Some regiments did make an 'issue' of slouch hats and shorts and tunics and their pay was deducted accordingly. During the change-over period out troops had a variety of gear.

Our troops remained in Egypt until April 1915. Most of their time as taken up with training in the nearby desert.

An excellent photograph of the 5th Battalion at the Mena Camp can be found at:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn6374635

Orvieto arrives Alexandria

The 5th Battalion Unit Diary (AWM Ref 22/23/1) notes that the H.M.A.T Orvieto arrived Alexandria, Egypt, on 3rd December. Four companies were sent by train to Cairo on the same day, the remainder of the Battalion on the 4th and 5th of December.

The army camp was about 10 miles from Cairo at Mena. Training commenced here on 10th December. At the Mena Camp the men were put on the 'Imperial Scale of ration and this was not sufficient', notes the Unit Diary. Later, these rations were supplemented with extra rations purchased with an additional 6d. per head per day.

HMAT Orvieto arrives Port Said

The 5th Battalion Unit Diary (AWM Ref 22/23/1) notes that the H.M.A.T Orvieto arrived Port Said  on 1st December. The German prisoners from the Emden were transferred to H.M.S. Hampshire the same day. 'A' Company of the 5th Battalion disembarked at Port Said and went by train to Cairo as the advanced party.

The entire Battalion was vaccinated between Colombo and Port Said.

Letter - undated - probably 30 Nov 1914

This letter is written by A.G. Adams to his mother. There is no envelope (therefore no postmark/stamp) and the date on top right is confusing (12 June is not possible). A.G. Adams refers to the predicted arrival in Port Said the following day. The 5th Battalion Unit Diary (AWM ref. 23/22/1) notes the Battalion arrived in Port Said on 1st December 1914.

A.G. Adams writes about their run ashore to the Globe Hotel, Colombo, getting about in rickshaws, visiting the museum, the cinnamon gardens and a Buddhist temple.

Note the letterhead - Mounted Cadets Melbourne.

Dear Mother,

We got to Colombo at about 6:30a.m. and after breakfast we all went ashore together. We went to the Globe Hotel and from there we started out in carriages. At least all of them except Head, Nicholson, Cleveland and I, who had rickshaws. We went to the Museum, Cinnamon Gardens, and a Buddhist temple. In all we went about 16 miles. All this was before lunch. In the afternoon we went round the town and took a train-ride through the native quarters. Had tea and went on a short rickshaw ride, 22 all in a line, and went down to the boat. After we left Colombo it was fairly rough and when we got into the Red Sea it was hot for one day. Ever since that it has been nice and cool. We got into Suez at about 7 a.m. and having passed the Doctor started up the band. We expect to arrive in Port Said at about 4 a.m. tomorrow (1st December 1914). We have had Church Parade tonight as there was no service this morning. I've been to 8 services since we left. 
There is no more news so good bye.
I remain your lovingly

Athol

Postcard - undated - probably November 1914

This postcard seems to be written from the H.M.A.T. Orvieto on the way to Colombo.

A. G. Adams mentions that the weather is hot and details some of the routine of a soldier's life on board a convoy ship.

Dear Mater,

The fine weather still continues. It has not been so very hot though we have had a following wind. 

Colonel Ryan has been very solicitous of my welfare and always asks how I am getting on. We have not had much work since getting into the hot weather. We work from 9 o'c until 11:30, and from 2 till 3. Then the N.C.Os have a lecture until 4 and drill until 4:30. Sometimes we have the lecture from 8pm to 9. And of course don't get the 3 to 4 .....

We're not allowed to give dates or places or particulars of anything so it is pretty difficult to write anything that has to pass the censor.

 I'm putting on weight fast. In fact I'm as fat as butter. Norm Marshall sends kind regards. I'll send a letter closed but it will be held back a week or so.

Love

Athol.

Letter - 24 November 1914 - Colombo, Ceylon

On 15 November 1914, the convoy arrived in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). At the time, the H.M.A.S. Sydney was carrying the German Navy prisoners rescued from the Emden. On the 16th November, four officers and 48 men of the Emden were transferred from the H.M.A.S. Sydney to the H.M.A.T. Orvieto.

The prisoners were held at the extreme end of the after well-deck. The German Navy officers refused parole and were accommodated in a cabin with sentry attached. These prisoners included Captain von Mueller and the Kaiser's nephew Prince Franz-Jozef von Hohenzollern, a second torpedo Lieutenant.

Leave was not granted to the vast majority of the 28,500 men and women aboard the transport ships. A.G. Adams was allowed ashore. His account of this is in a the 30 November letter.

The convoy departed on 17 November 1914 and headed for the Red Sea.

A.G. Adams wrote this letter as the Ovieto approached Aden, Yemen (at the entrance to the Red Sea).
The letter was written to his mother 'Mater' and refers to the German prisoners from Emden, the collision between the A9 H.M.A.T. Shropshire and the A11 H.M.A.T. Ascanius, Ovieto steaming passed the island of Socotra (off the Horn of Africa) and seeing large schools of porpoises.

A transcription of the letter appears at the end.



The text of the letter reads:

H.M.A.T. 'A3' S.S. Orvieto
24.11.14
Nearing Aden

Dear Mater,

We stayed outside the breakwater at Colombo and only a few of the officers got ashore. They wouldn't allow the natives or any motor boats to come out so it wasn't very exciting. We have 46 prisoners also the Captain and four other officers, including a nephew of the Kaiser all from the Emden on board. The only difference it makes to us is that we have double guard duty. The prisoners, which are nearly all stokers etc, as the gun crews were all killed, are on the main deck right aft. There are three petty officers and these sleep in a cabin but are with the rest during the day time. The officers eat in the ......  and have cabins in the promenade deck. They refused to give their parole so of course we have armed sentries on them all the time.

The seniority list of NCOs is coming out in the course of a few days. I believe, and I am told on good authority that I am the 2nd Colour Sgt on the list. I'm not certain but I believe it's right.

We have been vaccinated and there are a few sore arms. I am not ..... at all so far. I didn't .... last year so I suppose I'm immune. We left Colombo about eleven a.m. on the 17th. A lot of the boats didn't leave till 8:30 that night. We had the Hampshire convoying us whilst the Ibouki looked after the others. The latter caught and passed us and headed for Aden. This morning we put on speed and left the rest and have been doing about 15 or 16 knots.

I believe there is to be an enquiry held to investigate a collision which occurred between the Ascanius  with the West Australians and the Shropshire  with the artillery.

We arrive about 7am tomorrow. I believe we are to pick up another Indian contingent from Bombay somewhere about here or anyway before we reach Port Said.

This morning we passed a transport going the opposite direction. She started turning round and manoeuvring in a funny way. The Hampshire went over and told her to get and she went like a rabbit.

Yesterday we passed along the north coast of Sakotra (the island Socotra, off the Horn of Africa). We have seen thousands of porpoises the last two days in great big schools. We had another pre 'alarm' just now for practice.

There doesn't seem to be any thing else. I've been A1. Remember me to all enquiring friends.

Yours lovingly

Athol

P.S. I'm enclosing some effort by the Col Sgt of 'G' Coy. A.G.A.

Letter - 13 November 1914 - The Emden runs aground

On 13 November 1914 the following letter was sent by A.G. Adams to his mother (Adah Emilie Sherwood) who was staying at the Orient Hotel, Collins Street, Melbourne. The letter is addressed to her as 'Mater'.

This letter is being posted a little earlier than the due date, 13 November 1914, as it refers to the capture of the Emden on 10 November 1914.

The text of the letter reads:

H.M.A.S. A3   S.S. Orvieto
Nearing Colombo 13-11-14

Dear Mater,

I've sent you a P.C. which ought to have reached you about a week or more ago. We have  been steaming about 10 knots since we left Albany. There are 28 Australian troopers and 10 New Zealanders. We have been lying in three columns with the New Zealanders behind and between the outer lines with the Orvieto leading the centre line.

There is a diagram here showing the arrangement of the leading ships in the convoy.

 We started out with the 'Minotaur', 1st class cruiser, the Sydney & Melbourne, and the 'Ibuki' a Japanese pre Dreadnought battleship. About the 6th 'Minotaur' steamed away scouting. Then on the 9th about 6:30am the Cocos Island signal station sent a message 'S.O.S. strange cruiser entering harbour'. Within ten minutes the Sydney had steamed away at 27 knots. A little after nine she was in action with the 'Emden' and chased the latter due north or straight towards us. You should have seen the Melbourne and 'Ibouki', they both got out on our western flank with smoke just pouring out of their funnels. The 'Ibouki' had to steam right across our bows to get there from her station on the other flank and she looked great with the water coming away from her bows in great waves and the smoke belching from her stacks and forming a background. But as it turned out there was no cause for alarm as the Sydney did the job on her own in 20 minutes and forced the Emden to run ashore to save herself from foundering. We were going to have the prisoners on here and had all arrangements made but the Empress of Asia went and got them from the Sydney. Yesterday the Empress of Asia, a new C.P.R boat passed us doing about 25 knots bound for the Cocos Islands to get the guns off the Emden and to repair the cable station. She is a fine boat 17,500 tons, three funnels and cruiser stern. She mounts 4, six-inch guns I believe.

The New Zealanders and a couple of our boats went ahead today doing 12 knots. They will reach Colombo about 3 hours ahead of us. I don't know how long we will be there - probably about 4 days. I'm writing this in my pyjamas and I'm as hot as the deuce. Nothing much happens on board. We have the same routine every day. I don't know anybody's address so I'm posting everything care of you. Please forward same.

The Hampshire joined us today as escort. She is a sister ship to the 'Monmouth' which was sunk. They have inoculated us twice for enteric and we are to be vaccinated this week. There doesn't seem to be anything else. Regards to all.

Yours lovingly, Athol 

NOTES

A list of the convoy of troops ships which left Albany on 1st November 1914 can be found at: https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/25396510/anzac-flotilla-arrives-in-albany/
Follow the link to: Ships in the original Albany convoy

Cape Leeuwin was the last of the visible coast of Australia many of these troops were to see for many years. For some it was to be the last time they ever saw their homeland.

Athol refers to the capture of the Emden in his letter.
Since 2 August, when war was declared by Germany on Russia, the German ship Emden had been operating on the open sea as a lone wolf raider. On 4 August 1914, she took her first prize the Russian passenger ship Rjasan. During the next three months, Emden, under the command of Captain von Muller, sunk 15 English ships. She also took other prizes including the Greek steamer Pontoporos.

On 9 November, HMAS Melbourne received a signal from the Cocos-Keeling Group (Australian) saying 'enemy warship off island'. The convoy carrying the Australian and New Zealand troops was then about 60 miles from Cocos Keeling. HMAS Sydney reached top speed of 27 knots and headed off to capture the enemy raider and protect the troop ships. Emden had 10 guns of 4.1-inch calibre and Sydney had 6-inch guns allowing her to stay outside Emden's range. The battle lasted nearly two hours with Sydney claiming victory and Emden run aground and badly damaged.

 

 

 

Postcard - 26 October 1914

On 26th October 1914 the following postcard was sent by A.G. Adams to his eldest brother (Arthur Parker Adams) who was farming a property outside the village of Urana, in the Riverina district of southern NSW.

The front of the postcard shows the city of Albany in WA.

The text on the reverse of the postcard reads:

  A.P. Adams Esq
“Bidgemia”
  Urana

NSW

26.10.14
Have had a good trip calm weather, good cabin & tucker. Ben Levers is on as Capt. Med Officer to Engineers. We have a whole lot of the heads on board. Its raining like the devil now. I don’t think that we will get ashore here.
Yours A.G.A.
 

Aerogram - 25 October 1914

On 25th October 1914 the following letter was sent by A.G. Adams to his mother who was then staying at the Oriental Hotel, Collins Street, Melbourne.

The text of the aerogram is as follows:

We’ve had a beautiful trip so far. It has been quite calm all the time. Only a very few have been sea sick, and hardly any of our own chaps. I have Jack Newham in my cabin with me; they only allowed for 5 Sgts per company, so I took Jack in & Norm. Marshall went in with the junior Sgt. We mess in the 2^nd saloon and the food is A.1. The troops mess and sleep in messes of from 10 to 16. We have 7 messes, each in charge of a non. com. or senior private. They have very good food and are all very happy so far. We reach Albany some time tomorrow morning. I’ve seen Col. Ryan and Major White, both wanted to know how I was doing. Dick Casey is on board as a Lieut. in the Automobile Corps. That crowd are all officers or batmen so there’s not much in that. The fruit is being issued to all the troops as it showed signs of not keeping very well.  Ben Levers is on board as Med. Off to the Engineers. Peter Schuler is on as press rep. The Melbourne passed us yesterday, going past like a motor passes a tram. We have only seen one other ship which we passed going the same way as ourselves. I suppose we’ll pick the rest of the troopers up at Albany. There’s not much more.

Yours lovingly    Athol

A.G. Adams - Roll of Honour (London)

The Tower of London is commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Families are invited to nominate members of the Commonwealth forces who were killed in the First World War. These names will be read out at the Tower in a regular evening ceremony.

I nominated:
Lieutenant Athol Gladwyn Adams, Australian Flying Corps and
Second Lieutenant Valentine Harold Adams, Royal Flying Corps

The video of their names being read out on 8th October by Tower of London warder, Yeoman Warder Alec (Jimmy) James, can be viewed at: http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/roll-of-honour/8th-october/

The boys names are towards the end, just before the 17 minutes mark.

On board HMAT Orvieto

The finest ship on the convoy taking the troops to Albany was HMAT Orvieto. She weighed 12,130 tons with an cruising speed of 15 knots. She was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth of Australia.

On board the HMAT Orvieto were 1,457 men and women. Included in these numbers were the 5th Battalion (with Colour Sergeant A. G. Adams), the 1st Division headquarters staff, nurses and the Second Field Company Engineers. Seven or eight horses were accommodated with boxes aft of the lower promenade deck. Sergeants and the Postal Corps had second-class cabins. Officer cabins, on the boat deck, were considered very comfortable.

Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean (the celebrated author of The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918) was amongst those on board. C.E.W. Bean was employed as a journalist and was travelling with the courtesy title of Captain for the purposes of precedence in the mess.

German sea-raiders were scouring the seas so there were attempts made to keep secret the staggered departure of the troopship convoy which left Melbourne from 17-21 October 1914. By the time HMAT Orvieto, the last of the convoy, left Melbourne on 21 October, this was a secret which most of Melbourne knew about. Many concerned families in the city were aware the ships were leaving but they were uncertain as to their son's departure day  and did not know which ship held their loved one. Each day, larger crowds gathered at the wharves. By Wednesday 21st, an armed guard was set at the entrance to Station Pier to prevent crowds gaining entrance to the Orvietto's wharf. In the end, the armed guard was overwhelmed and the people rushed down the wharf and alongside the Orvietto. The ship was farewelled with waving families, colour streamers and the 5th Battalion band playing on the upper deck.

The passage to Albany in W.A. was to take five days. In the meantime the soldiers made a close inspection of the ship, the crew's quarters, engine room, stokehold and all they could get to (except the boat deck which was reserved for officers). The saloons were also forbidden to the ranks. Sleeping on the deck was popular with blanket roll, hammock and lifebelt arranged during the day to reserve a place. There was no time to be bored as the men were kept busy over the next few days whilst they headed west across the Great Australian Bight.

A. G. Adams - departs Melbourne on HMAT Orvietto

On the afternoon of 21 October 1914, at the Port of Melbourne, the Governor-General of Australia, Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, together with his wife and the official party, boarded His Majesty’s Australian Transport Ship No 3 Orvieto to farewell Australian troops departing for World War 1. Members of the 5th Battalion formed an honour guard to welcome the official party.

The vice-regal party was not on board for long. Soon the great throng of families and well-wishers cheered the departing HMAT Orvieto, and the 1,457 men and women aboard. The great ship cast off from Princes Pier (then known as Railway Pier). Sir William Throsby Bridges, Commander of the First Australian Division was the highest ranking officer aboard.

The band of the 5^th Battalion played the National Anthem, 'God Save the King'.

In the preceding 5 days, from 17-21 October 1914, fifteen ships left from Station Pier to make up the convoy headed to Albany, Western Australia. In Albany more ships would join the convoy before leaving Australian shores for Egypt.

Historic footage of the departure of HMAT Orvieto can be viewed at: http://anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au/remembrance/hmat-orvieto-embarkation/

At this stage A. G. Adams held the rank of Colour Sergeant.

A. G. Adams - napkin ring

A family member has contributed this sterling silver napkin ring for me to include in this blog. Inscribed with A.G. Adams' christian name 'Athol' and the date' 18.5.02' in italic text, the item was probably a birthday present. In May 1902 Athol would have been 7 years old.

It is quite heavy and functional and is well worn but not damaged.

With many thanks to Mrs A. Carlyon.

Almeida - South Yarra

As mentioned earlier in this blog (21 August 2014), A. G. Adams' mother (Adah Emily Sherwood - nee Parker) was raised in her parents' home known as 'Almeida'. The building no longer stands but was at 209 Toorak Road, South Yarra, an inner suburb of Melbourne.

Adah Emily Parker, her elder brother Ernest, along with their younger sister, Florence, and half sister Marion (known as May) spent their childhood and some of their adult lives at 'Almeida'. Thomas J. Parker purchased the property so he could move his wife Mary and the children to Melbourne from Geelong.

In time, the eldest son, Ernest, married in 1884 and would have left the family home around then. In January 1886 Adah married Alexander James Adams. She would have left home that Summer but it is not known where the couple began their married life. It appears that they returned to 'Almeida' regularly and that Adah had her second son, Clifford, at 'Almeida' in 1890. The Melbourne newspaper The Argus records this.

T. J. Parker eventually became very successful and lived in style at this large house where he became a well known figure.

At the time of her father's death in January 1900, Adah would have been aged 34. She had already been widowed for six years. In 1900 her four sons were aged: Arthur (12), Clifford (10), Harold (8) and Athol G. Adams (5). It appears that Adah and her four boys returned to live at the family home after Adah's first husband (Alexander James Adams) died in 1894. Adah and her sons moved out of 'Almeida' in 1900 the year her father (T.J. Parker) died and after she re-married. Her new husband was Guy Sherwood, an architect. In the local journal of record 'Table Talk' on Thursday 2 August 1900 it is noted that:

"Mrs Guy Sherwood has removed from 'Almeida' South Yarra, to 245 Williams Road, Toorak, and will be at home on the 10th and 20th of each month."

This image of  'Almeida' is not annotated. A family member believes it to be dated around 1870 not long after Thomas J. Parker moved the family from Geelong to Melbourne. The group in the foreground are Ernest standing (aged about 10), Florence sitting on a nanny's knee (about 18 months) and Adah (about 5) with white pinafore and blond hair. The lady standing with parasol is the children's mother, Mary Anne Clifford. In 1873 Thomas J. Parker took his first wife, Mary, to England. Mary was never to return. She died in September of that year aged only 38.

Perhaps you may have noted the female staff on the right with watering can and lawn mower.

The property was sold by the family in about 1900. It was still standing in the mid-1930s, as a family member can recall being taken to see the old building as a small child.  It has since been demolished and that part of Toorak Road is now taken up with commercial buildings.

I am grateful for the archive material, photographs and other documents provided by

Mrs Dorothy Malcomson (nee Parker).

Broadmeadows - visitors' day

A.G. Adams, Broadmeadows Camp, Victoria, 1914

Aged 20 when this 'happy snap' was taken, A.G. Adams is standing in front of one of the 'bell' tents set up in the Broadmeadows Camp.

There are no badges, stripes, or other military insignia on the uniform. Perhaps it was early days in the camp before the uniforms were fully furnished. We can see in the background a number of women in hats. May be it was visitors' day at the camp?

This small photo (7cm x 5cm) has been cut into an oval shape. It sits in a narrow brass frame decorated with tiny overlapping oak-leaves. Holding the photo in its frame is a light wooden board with brown velvet backing. The frame sits tightly in a slim, brown velvet-lined, leather box. The box itself opens down the centre and has a little attachment at the rear so that it can stand on a desk or bed-side table. It is light and suitable for travelling. Did A.G. Adams' mother (Adah) carry this with her on her many travels. The case is well-worn these days but inside the treasured photograph is in good condition.

Roll of Honour (Canberra) - A.G. Adams

Athol Gladwyn Adams' name will be projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, on:

Mon 17 November, 2014 at 3:56 am
Thu 22 January, 2015 at 1:45 am
Sat 21 March, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Sat 9 May, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Sun 21 June, 2015 at 1:01 am
Sun 2 August, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Sun 20 September, 2015 at 12:06 am

Please check with the War Memorial before you go - just to fine tune the timing etc.

The names look wonderful. It is worth seeing.

As you know, V.H. Adams' name will not be projected onto the War Memorial as he is not recorded on the AWM's Roll of Honour. His name was read out at the Tower of London on 8th October 2014.

Roll of Honour (Tower of London) - A.G. Adams - 8 October

The Tower of London is commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1. Each evening a list of about 180 names is being read out. These are the names of those members of our Commonwealth forces who died in action in this conflict.

(A similar evening ceremony is held in Canberra at the Australian War Memorial - another post on that soon).

As with many others, I have nominated family members who were members of Commonwealth forces who were killed in the Great War. Their names will be read out at the Tower in a nightly ceremony.

You can nominate others at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/VisitUs/Topthingstoseeanddo/Poppies/RollofHonour

A.G. Adams' and his brother V. H. Adams' names will be read out at the Tower of London ceremony tomorrow, Wednesday 8th October (London time). 

The list of 180 names will be read from the poppy-filled Tower moat at sunset, starting at 6:25pm (London time). The Adams brothers will be on the top of the list.

At the end of the reading, which will take about 20-30 minutes, an Army bugler will play the Last Post.

If you would like to watch, you will need to purchase tickets to the Tower of London. Of course, many of us live on the other side of the globe. No matter....The Historic Royal Palaces will be filming the ceremonies and an archive site where you will be able to view the videos is currently under construction. I will post the details when this becomes available.

The Historic Royal Palaces is also adding the lists of names being read each night at http://rollofhonour.tumblr.com/ so that they can be seen and remembered from anywhere in the world.

Please note the special red-poppy sculptures which flow in a mass from the top of the Tower. Each hand-made ceramic poppy planted in the moat is available to buy at https://poppies.hrp.org.uk/buy-a-poppy/

I would like to thank the:

Historic Royal Palaces which is an independent charity that looks after the

Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle

They help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built.

They raise all their own funds and depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, sponsors and volunteers.

Monogram

This Art Nouveau armchair belonged to Adah Emily Sherwood. It is made of a dark fine-grained wood which could be mahogany. It is quite delicate with a tall back and thin long lines above and below. The arm rests are gently curved and the seat front bowed which are all features typical of the period. The upholstery is contemporary. 

There is a plaque on the back slats of the chair which reads AES.

This is the monogram of Adah Emily Sherwood. The organic shapes and long sinuous lines are feminine, gentle and elegant.

The armchair is likely to have been purchased by Adah before A. G. Adams and his brother left to join the AIF.

A simple armchair becomes a symbol of the elegant fashionable world of Melbourne in the early 1900s, before families lives were shattered.

Huddart Parker Ltd

When A. G. Adams joined Huddart Parker Limited in 1912-13 it had only recently become a public company. On 1st January 1912 the company started with capital of 1,000,000 pounds. At the time, the main business was coastal shipping of cargo and passengers and trade was conducted in the southern states of the newly federated Commonwealth of Australia and across to New Zealand.

In 1914, at the outbreak of war, Huddart Parker Ltd, was at its highest point. A branch office had recently opened in Dunedin, NZ with Mr T.J. Parker (A.G. Adams' cousin) appointed Manager of that office. The 1914 the company also acquired coal interests in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

After leaving school A. G. Adams was employed as a clerk at Huddart Parker.

The Great War, took a significant toll on the company both in terms of the human impact, the loss of trade and the requisition of ships for use by the Admiralty.

Athol G. Adams, would have known many of the company men who enlisted to serve Australia and the Empire:

• Lieutenant W. T. T. Appleton - the Melbourne manager of the company and son of the then Chairman. Lieut. Appleton (7th Battalion, 1st AIF) was killed in action on 24 July 1916, aged 33, whilst leading his men in captured trenches close to Pozieres. He as buried where he fell.
• Mr L.S. Bull, son of Capt. P.W. Bull, General Manager, of Huddart Parker Ltd. L.S. Bull was a fourth engineer with the company when he enlisted shortly after the declaration of war. He trained at the Broadmeadows Camp with A. G. Adams. He saw action in the heavy fighting on the Somme in 1916 and later in Flanders. He was killed in action on New Years Day 1917 and is buried near Amiens.
• Lieutenant T. J. Parker, manager of the Dunedin office of Huddart Parker and grandson of the founding chairman, paid his own passage to England to join the Royal Field Artillery in 1915. He received his commission and saw service in Ypres salient. In 1916 he served with the Guard Divisional Artillery on the Somme. After being wounded at Guillemont we was sent to England for treatment. Whilst convalescing he acted as Adjutant of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery School of Gunnery at Shoeburyness. After recovering he was posted to Italy with the 23rd Divisional Artillery. Lieut. Parker volunteered to serve on a military mission to Austria after the Austrian revolution occurred. Lieut. Parker survived the war and returned to Australia to continue with the company. He was made a director in 1923.

From 1914 to 1918, Huddart Parker saw 70 staff members leave to serve their country. Thirteen of these were never to return. In addition, some of the company's vessels (Nairana, Zealandia, Ulimaroa, Hebburn and Coogee) were taken over by the Admiralty but continued to be manned by Huddart Parker crew. These men also put their lives in danger.

The Zealandia of Huddart Parker Ltd sailing under a partially completed Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Zealandia served, with a Huddart Parker crew, in both WW1 and WW2.

With many thanks to D.A.J. Parker for use of the family archives.

A.G. Adams - clerk at Huddart Parker Ltd

The Huddart Parker building in Collins Street, Melbourne

c.1914

After leaving Melbourne Grammar School at the end of 1912, and prior to enlisting in the 1st AIF, A.G. Adams worked in the offices of the Huddart Parker shipping company as a clerk.

The image above depicts the art nouveau Melbourne offices of Huddart Parker Ltd at 466 Collins Street, central Melbourne. A.G. Adams worked in this building. The building is recognisable today. 

The Huddart Parker company was founded as a partnership in 1876 by Thomas J. Parker snr, James Huddart, John Traill and Thomas Webb. By 1910 Huddart Parker was ranked 24th in the top 100 companies in Australia. Its main operations were coastal shipping based in Victoria with regular cargo and passenger lines along coastal Victoria and north to Newcastle and Sydney and later to Fremantle in W.A and Tasmania. By 1914 Huddart Parker had also diversified into coal mining and other investments.

For A.G. Adams the environment at 466 Collins Street would not have been unfamiliar. In 1914, there were substantial family interests in this company with A.G. Adams' mother, Adah Emily Sherwood, being a major shareholder as well as her sister Florence Parker (married, no issue) and half-sister Marion (May) Parker (married, no issue). Their father was one of the founders of Huddart Parker. Adah's nephew, Thomas J. Parker and his two sisters were also substantial shareholders. Unfortunately, by 1912, when A.G. Adams joined the family company, his grandfather and only uncle had both died. This had a significant impact on the family's interests.  Ernest was only 38 when he died.

A.G. Adams' cousin (Ernest's only son), Thomas J. Parker Jr., was also involved in the firm in 1914. He was seven years older than A.G. Adams and the same age as A.G. Adams' elder brother, Arthur. Thomas J. Parker Jr. also served in the 1st AIF (more about him later). A.G. Adams' elder surviving brothers, Arthur and Harold, had chosen to be farmers and were working on sheep properties in the Riverina.

It would have been very important to Adah Emily Sherwood (nee Parker) to have one of her sons trained in the workings of the family company. Adah was educated in Melbourne, London and Germany. It is believed she was a strong-willed, intelligent woman and that she tried, unsuccessfully, to become a director on the board of Huddart Parker after her father and brother died (1900 and 1898 respectively). If she was not able to protect her interests and those of her sons by being involved in the decision making of the company she would have wanted her sons to be involved from an early age. Athol Gladwyn Adams was chosen, or he chose himself, to be directly involved in Huddart Parker limited. He started as a clerk.

In the next blog post I will write about the impact WW1 had on the firm and its employees.

With many thanks to D.A.J. Parker for the use of his archive material including the photograph above.

School badges

These Melbourne Grammar School badges were awarded to A.G. Adams for various extra curricular activities.

Top row:

(Left) School Cadet Matches 1908 Junior
(Right) School Cadet Matches 1908 Junior.
These badges are marked STG Silv (sterling silver).

Bottom row:

1. WR (?) competition 1908.
2. Jubilee badge 1858-1908.
3. No engraving on the middle badge.
4. 50 yrds champion under 16, 2nd. and on the reverse MCEGS swimming 1910. This badge is marked STG Silv (sterling silver).
5. High dive under 14.

In 'War Services Old Melburnians, 1914-1918', ed. B. Kiddle, 1923', the obituary notice states that 

"Athol Gladwyn Adams .... was a prefect, in the crew and athletic team in 1912, and in the football teams of 1911 and 1912. He was a most popular boy." 

Football in Melbourne = Australian Football or Aussie Rules.

There are other trophies awarded to A.G. Adams but they are not available to be photographed at this stage.

Portrait of mother, taken to the front

This portrait of A.E. Sherwood was found with the personal effects sent home to Australia after the death of Lieut. A.G. Adams in 1917. The image is undated, nor does it have notes on the reverse. There are no studio markings.

It is a small size (6 cm x 12 cm), including the mounting, which would have been handy to keep in a soldier's wallet or diary.

Whilst we might consider this to be a formal portrait, it shows Adah in light blouse, with everyday jewelry and a simple hair style.  Her sons would have known their mother like this in their home in Melbourne.

Portrait of A.G. Adams as a school boy

This portrait of A.G. Adams was produced by the Melbourne studio Vandyke. They were operating in Bourke St and 274 Collins St in the city of Melbourne from about 1887.

The portrait is undated but appears to be of A.G. Adams as a school boy. He attended the Melbourne Grammar School from 1906-1912.

Glimpse of a school boy

This is a copy of a letter sent by senior boys of the Melbourne Grammar School to the Headmaster. We understand it was probably dated in 1911 or 1912.
Athol G. Adams (prefect) was the first to sign.
The text of the petition says:

"We, the undersigned, being senior boys of the school, do most strongly object to the treatment of Mr J. Wilson by Dr Kent-Hughes. And we most strongly resent Dr Dent-Hughes' interference in school sport."

We are not aware of the rest of the story. What brought about this letter of protest signed by 24 of the senior students? What was the outcome? Being the first to sign the letter - was it A.G. Adams' idea?

We do know that Mr Fred Knight, whose signature appears towards the end of the list, was a friend of the all four Adams boys. He referred to Athol G. Adams using the nickname: Tie-Tie.

Fred Knight lived into his 90s. He was a business partner and life long friend of Arthur Parker Adams (the eldest of the Adams boys). Fred Knight served in the Gallipoli campaign and also in France. His story can be found on the Melbourne Grammar School web-site: http://dbtw.mgs.vic.edu.au/dbtw-wpd/textbase/cll_archives.htm

Clothing and Sport in the Broadmedows camp

Clothing and Equipment

In the early days at the Camp the most urgent problem seemed to be in the provision of clothing and equipment. For the first men to arrive in the Broadmeadows camp equipment was quite sufficient but subsequent drafts were met with inadequate clothing and kit. There were insufficient great coats in the cold Melbourne winter. What coats were available were in very large sizes with only a few in small or medium. No replacements could be found. Many men did not have clothing warm enough for the conditions (the Melbourne winter can be quite chilly).

The boots were defective in make and badly finished. These boots were eventually replaced but the replacement boots were also unsatisfactory. The trousers were 'useless' according to the 5th Battalion unit diary. They were eventually replaced but at at one stage 200 pairs were sent back as unsatisfactory.

Some clothing problems were caused by the new recruits deserting with their kit or men transferring to other units.

The Battalion leadership believed that many of these shortages and deficiencies could be sorted out when they got to London.

Many men, went to Camp in private clothes which they worn in camp whilst these supply issues were attended to. Many articles of clothing and other necessities were provided by private funds.

For the men the clothing and kit provided its own problems. The infantrymen practiced handling and wearing 'web equipment'. This comprised of a tangle of canvas straps and bags. It looked quite simple in the hands of an expert. To a new recruit it was exasperating. There were about 15 pieces of this webbing which ideally harnessed the soldiers kit and clothing.

Sport
Some attention was given to fitness and sports. A championship meeting took part one Saturday afternoon. A running track was laid out between the camp and Broadmeadows station. The 5th Battalion did well with 'F'company in particular providing many fine athletes. Events included the 100 yards dash, the high jump and relay races. There was a platoon marching contest.

Selecting Leaders
A few weeks after the formation of the camp, examinations were held to select non-commissioned officers.

...and in Europe
In the meantime, Europe was plunging into a new type of war. From 26th to 30th August 1914 (100 years ago this weekend), Russian and Germany threw great armies at each other in what is now Poland and then East Prussia. At the end of the Battle of Tannenberg, around 250,000 men - an entire army - was destroyed or taken captive along with large amounts of equipment and supplies. Samsonov the general leading the Imperial Russian 2nd Army shot himself.

...and in the Pacific
On 29th August 1914 the New Zealand Expeditionary Force captured German Samoa. Around 1,400 troops were involved but they met no resistance.

The Memorial Bracelet

The Memorial Bracelet

On the left is A.G. Adams (with observer wing), and on the right, his elder brother V. H. Adams (with his pilot's wings).
They were both killed in 1917.
The frames clip together and are held on a golden bracelet worn like a wristwatch. It is understood that this was commissioned by the boys' mother, A.E Sherwood, and worn by her.

When closed, the bracelet looks like this:

The inscription on this side of portaits' case:

"67th Squadron R.F.C. Athol 19.2.17 He served - he died"

The 67th Squadron was renamed the 1st Australian Flying Corps.

The reverse of the case has a similar inscription for V. H. Adams.

"70th Squadron R.F.C. Harold 14.5.1917 Per ardua ad astra"

My thanks to H. Clapham and A. P. Clapham for sharing this family treasure, and to Nick Robinson for the fine photography. www.creativeproof.com.au

The Darge photo - Broadmeadows

This is the first letter/post-card written home.
A.G. Adams signed his name 'Athol'. It was written to his mother Adah Emilie Sherwood who often had her mail directed to the Oriental Hotel in Collins Street Melbourne as she travelled frequently.
I'm posting this post card a little earlier than scheduled as it has some points relevant to this early part of the story. The postcard appears to have been sent from Albury on 21 October 1914 - but the photo on the other side is of the Broadmedows camp.

You will note on the top left of the postcard is the name of the photographic studio in Melbourne 'Darge'. These photographs were taken on glass negatives by Algernon Darge and his Darge  Photographic Company which had the concession to take photographs at the Broadmeadows and Seymour army camps during the First World War. The Australian War Memorial purchased the original glass negatives from Algernon Darge, along with the photographers’ notebooks. The notebooks contain brief details, usually a surname or unit name, for each negative. Information can sometimes be found through the Australian War Memorial if the photograph's identification number can be found and information was recorded at the time. Unfortunately this was not the case with this post-card/photo.

This is the front of the post-card by Darge studio. The photograph's identification number is 1491 (bottom right).
Sergeant Athol G. Adams is third from left in the back row with the slouch hat. Perhaps the men have assembled outside their bell tent - there were usually 15-16 men per tent. Were these some of the men in 'F' company?
If you look carefully you can see the mascot. A small wallaby or kangaroo sitting on the lap of the soldier in front of Athol (middle front row). A least one of these kangaroos went with the troops to Egypt - was it this little fellow?

Mother of A.G. Adams - Adah Emily Sherwood

As mentioned earlier in this story, A.G. Adams was the youngest of four sons (Arthur, Clifford, Harold and Athol). Their father was Alexander James Adams.The boys' mother was born Adah Emily Parker.

A. E. Parker was born in Melbourne  in 1866 and was the eldest daughter of Thomas James Parker (one of the founders of the Huddart Parker shipping line). This image shows her on her wedding day.

Adah was raised in Melbourne along with her brother, Ernest, sister Florence and half-sister, Marion (known as May). There were five other children which died in infancy or as small children (Mary, Thomas, Frank, Alfred and John).

A.E. Parker married Alexander James Adams (then working in Sydney), on Saturday 4 February 1888, aged 22, at Christ Church, South Yarra, Melbourne. At the time, the bride was living with her parents at their home known as 'Almeida', 209 Toorak Road, South Yarra.

A plan of the house can be found at the State Library of Victoria. An extract appears below, however, not shown on this image are the orchard, stables and other outbuildings and a horse paddock.

Adah Emilie Adams was widowed in 1894, aged 28. She had 3 young sons with the youngest, A.G. Adams, not quite born. It is understood that she raised these young fellows with the help of her two sisters, Florence and May. Neither of these two aunts went on to have children of their own.

In 1900, Adah Emilie Adams went on to marry an architect based in Melbourne, Mr Guy Sherwood.

A.E. Sherwood died on 7 January 1924, aged 58.

In all the correspondence with the Department of Defence regarding the two sons she lost in the Great War she is referred to as Mrs Guy Sherwood (next of kin).

She was survived by her eldest son, Arthur Parker Adams.



Learning to be a soldier

For the next two months the men at Broadmeadows learnt the routines of army life and were issued with equipment, kit and uniform.

All tasks were conducted in the open air or under canvas. In wet weather, which was not infrequent, there was a lot of mud about. Water ran into the tents from time to time and soaked the straw/hessian mattresses and kit.

Musketry training was carried out near Williamstown, the men being taken down and back in a day by train. Members of the Rifle Club acted as instructors. Some attention was given to entrenching.

By August 1914 there were 199 officers and 5,970 men at the Broadmeadows Camp (3 June 1915, The Bendigonian newspaper).

At this stage we can note that in the 1st AIF, the 5th Battalion (at full strength) would have comprised of 29 officers and 1007 other ranks. Each Battalion was divided into seven Companies - A.G. Adams in 'F' company which was led by a Captain Carter. Each company was divided into platoons which included two officers, two sergeants and other ranks. A.G. Adams was listed as a "sergeant" on 17 August 1914, as he had some experience in the cadet unit at his school.

A sergeant's uniform in the 1st AIF would have had three chevron stripes below the shoulder. Note this Australian War Memorial image:
http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2014/07/31/australian-imperial-force-aif-badges-1914-1918/

 This will  help us identify A. G. Adams in future photos.

March to Broadmedows

On 19th August 1914, the men who enlisted in Prahran, placed their kit on baggage wagons and made their way down Commercial Road into St Kilda Road and on to Victoria Barracks. The men were dressed in a mixture of various types of military uniform including some in their Victorian Scottish Regiment kilts, but the majority were in mufti.

After arriving at the Barracks, the Commanding Officer of the Second Brigade, Lt. Col., J W McCay, made a stirring patriotic speech.  Later, the entire Brigade was led by the Citizen Force Band out of the Barracks, at about 9:30am, onto St Kilda Road and through the city.

The city streets were lined with cheering folk as the Brigade made their way through the City towards the northern suburbs for a total of 11 miles on foot arriving at about 5pm. This was an arduous march for many of the men. Their destination was a large paddock on the outskirts of Melbourne owned by a Major Wilson. This paddock was to become the Broadmedows Camp. On arrival the troops were required to bathe their feet in a muddy waterhole. They received an address by one of their new officers on 'discipline' after which they were allocated to their tents (16 men per tent). The tents came equipped with large hessian sacks filled with straw as mattresses and two blankets per man. Tea was served, baggage found and then men retired for the evening.

A.G. Adams was assigned to 'F' company on the 17th August. 'F' company was made up almost entirely of volunteers who had attended public schools in Victoria including Scotch College, Wesley College, Geelong Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar School. There were 18 Melbourne Grammar boys in 'F' Company. Athol would have known many of these men from his days at MGS, perhaps some of these were in Athol's tent on that first night at Broadmeadows.

Later A. G. Adams was transferred to 'D' company.

Some good images can be found at: http://anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au/history/victorias-contribution-wwi/