Portrait - Athol Gladwyn Adams

This is a record of the letters, photographs and personal documents of the Australian World War 1 soldier, Athol Gladwyn Adams. Posts will be made 100 years to the day of the document.

1914
A. G. Adams at the training camp at Broadmedows, Victoria
before departure to Egypt and Gallipoli

Athol G. Adams was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 17 May 1894. His parents were Alexander J. Adams and Adah Emily Parker.

He attended the Melbourne Grammar School from 1906-1912.

A. G. Adams was among the first 5,000 to join the 1st AIF in August 1914 shortly after Australia joined the war effort in August 1914. At the Broadmedows camp, where the volunteers were sent for training before embarking for overseas service, Athol was made colour-sergeant whilst one of the youngest in the Company.

Originally part of 'F' company (public schools' company) of the 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, he was later assigned to 'D' company. He gained his commission on 3rd February 1915.

In early 1915, Lieutenant Adams saw action on the Dardanelles peninsular being wounded four times in 10 days, including at the famous landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. He took part in the Lone Pine Battle between 6 and 9 August 1915 which saw some of the bloodiest days of the Peninsular campaign. Seven ANZACs were award VCs for acts of valour during this engagement.

At the end of the Gallipoli campaign Lieutenant Adams returned to Egypt and commanded one of the companies of the Imperial Camel Corps. His company was the the first camel company to see action in this theatre.

In March 1916, he was attached to the Duke of Westminster's Armoured Car Expedition. One of their expeditions involved travelling in modified motor-vehicles across about 120 miles of enemy held desert to rescue 90 Royal Navy sailors (from HMS Tara) who were being held prisoner by an hostile Arab tribe, the Senussi.

In late 1916 Lieutenant Adams was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps based in Alexandria. This unit later became the 1st Australian Flying Squadron. He took part in the El Arish engagement. He is recorded by C.E.W. Bean as being in one of the very long reconnaisance flights across the desert. In those days aircraft were un-reliable. Travelling over hostile territory with poor weather information and difficult, hot conditions made this fine feat. [Volume VIII, p.37].

In December 1916, Lieutenant Adams passed his technical examinations in preparation for advancing from Observer to Pilot. However, in February 1917, he died in an air accident whilst on a training run. The aeroplane's engine cut out about 100 feet above the ground whilst coming in to land. Those who attended the accident said that Athol was unconscious and died soon afterwards. He was accorded a military funeral.

His Captain wrote to his family after his death.

The Flying Corps have lost not only an officer popular with all he met but one who gave promise of making a good and valuable pilot".

Another officer wrote:

I could not have wished for a better officer; he was keen and full of zeal in all his work, and I, as well as the C.O., was looking forward to the time when he would join the squadron as a pilot, which would have been in a very few days but for his untimely end.' 

In May the same year, his elder brother, Valentine Harold Adams, died whilst serving on the Western Front. He was a member of the Royal Flying Corps. His story may be found at: http://www.misc.airwar1.org.uk/adams.htm

Athol Gladwyn Adams - 'selfie' - 1916

whilst serving with 2nd Camel Company

Imperial Camel Corps

Western Desert, Egypt