Finding treasurers

In late 2015 I found a missing suitcase which had been in storage for a number of years. This belonged to my grandfather, Arthur Parker Adams. Arthur, known as Bill to his friends, was the eldest of the four Adams boys. In this brown leather suitcase Arthur kept the collection of WW1 material left to him by his mother, Adah.

In the suitcase were memorial scrolls, medals, portrait photographs and memorabilia of Arthur's two youngest brothers who were killed in the Great War as well as a photograph of his cousin T.J. Parker and other miscellaneous items.

When opened the case interior and contents were covered in white mould. This was cleaned off carefully and most of the contents appeared not to be too damaged.

The leather suitcase before restoration

The leather suitcase and contents.

The portrait at top right is of Arthur's cousin T.J. Parker, the middle portraits show Arthur's youngest brother Athol G. Adams standing and and then head-shoulders wearing AFC Observer's uniform. The bottom portrait is of Arthur's brother V.H. Adams standing and head-shoulders in RFC pilots uniform.

The note sent with the Victory Medals to those families who were bereaved. Adah received two such notes. One for each son killed in the Great War.

'Wings' badge from V.H Adams' uniform.

A memorial scroll was received by Adah to

commemorate each of her fallen sons.

Below the Royal Coat of Arms the text of this scroll reads:

"He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten."

Lieut. Athol G. Adams

AFC. AIF

(AFC = Australian Flying Corps; AIF = Australian Imperial Force)

A memorial plaque was also received by Adah for each of her sons lost in the Great War. This photograph is of the plaque inscribed Athol Gladwyn Adams.

It is held in a brown leather case with brown velvet lining.

The campaign medals are held in a brown leather case.

Athol's medals are L-R: The Gallipoli campaign medal, the British War medal and the Victory medal.