The Second Anglo-Afghan War Database Project

www.garenewing.co.uk/angloafghanwar

James William Adams

Regiment: Bengal Ecclesiastical Establishment

Birth: 24 Nov 1839 Cork, Ireland

Rank: Reverend

Death: 20 Oct 1903 Ashwell Rectory, Rutland

Medal roll: Peiwar Kotal. Charasia. Kabul. Kandahar. Kandahar Bronze Star. Victoria Cross.

Notes:

Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1861), excelled in athletics, regarded as 'strongest man in Ireland'. Ordained deacon 1863, priest 1864. Chaplain to Bengal Establishment at Calcutta 1866, appointed Peshawar where he restored the church and cemetary. Thanks of the government for his work in cholera camps. Kashmir 1874 where he built a pine-log church (later burnt down). Meerut 1876. Afghan war served with Roberts, won VC on Dec 11 1879 rescuing several 9th Lancers from a water-filled ditch with Afghans bearing down, at Killa Kazi. 1881 England, then Lucknow, then Naini Tal 1883-85. Burma (again with Roberts). 'Padre Adams' settled in England 1886, rectory of Postwick near Norwich 1887-94. Two years in Jersey then vicar of Stow Bardolph with Wimbotsham. 1900 appointed honourary chaplain to Victoria, chaplain-in-ordinary to King Edward 1901. 1902 moved to Ashwell. Afghan medals, India Frontier medal, clasp for Burma.

Family:

Only son of James O'Brien Adams, magistrate, and Elizabeth Williams. Married Alice Mary Willshire (son of General Sir Thomas Willshire GCB) 16 Aug 1881, one daughter Edith Juliet Mary.

Ref:

The Times 22 Oct 1903. The Scotsman 27 Aug 1881, Oct 23 1903. Weekly Dispatch 13 May 1900. Forty-One Years in India (Roberts) p.360-61, 436. MacGregor Diaries p.61, 80, 212. Shadbolt Biographical p.259. London Gazette 26 Aug 1881. Sir Donald Stewart (Elsmie) p.370. Ninth Lancers (Reynard) p. 88. 'Soldiers & Others I Have Known' by Adye p.40. 1885 Army List p.457.