FREDERICK PERCY ADAMS

Born: 1878, All Saints, Ipswich.

Died: 25th March 1918; age: 39; KiA.

Residence: Gloucester, Gloucestershire.

Enlistment Location: Caleford, Gloucester, Gloucestershire.

Date of Entry Therein: 1st April 1915 – France.

Rank: Fitter Corporal; Service Number: 149164

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery, 1st/1st ‘K’ Heavy Battery.

Formerly 16186, Gloucester Regiment.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

Memorial Reference:

Bay 1.

Arras Memorial,

Pas de Calais,

France.

CENSUS

1881   8, Cumberland Terrace, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Frederick was 3 years old & living with his parents & siblings.

William Adams, 38, a Policeman, born Baldingham, Suffolk.

Mary Ann Adams (nee Lighten), 37, born Barsham, Suffolk.

Louise Lorna Adams, 10, born Kirton, Suffolk.

William John Adams, 5, born Ipswich.

Charles Henry Adams, 9 months, born Ipswich.

1891   Gladstone Villa, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Frederick was 13 years old & living with his parents & brother.

William, 48, a Police Constable.

Mary Ann, 47, a Dress Maker – own account.

William, 15, a Gardener’s Domestic Servant.

1901   27, Station Street, West Ham, Essex.

Frederick was 24 years old, a General Labourer. He was a boarder at the home of Edward E. Wheele.

1911   The Rectory, English Bicknor, Monmouthshire, Wales.

Frederick was 33 years old, a Gardener – Servant to the Rector Curling Finzel Doddrell. Frederick was married, and his wife Ellen Adams, 34, was the Rector’s Cook.

In October 1882, Frederick’s brother, Henry Charles Adams died age 2 years and 4 months at the family home, of Gladstone Villas, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

East Anglian Daily Times – 10^th December 1896 – On the 9^th October 1896, Frederick had an accident whilst at work for Messrs. E.R. and F. Tuner’s – St. Peter’s Foundry, Ipswich. The accident occurred just after 11 o’clock in the St. Peter’s Ironworks paint shop. Frederick of Gladstone Villas, Bramford Road, was cleaning a flywheel weighing about 8cwt., in order to prepare it for vanishing when the wheel fell on the lower part of his body. Frederick was at once conveyed home in a cab. In the afternoon he was attended by a doctor, who reported that the injuries were not of a serious character. 

On the 26th April 1902, at St. John’s Church, Stratford, Essex, 24 year old Frederick married 27 year old Ellen Borrett, born December 1875, in Peterborough, Northamptonshire – daughter of John Borrett, a blacksmith, and Ellen Borrett, of Suffolk.

Soldiers’ Effects to Ellen Adams – widow, of 335, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

In July 2015, Frederick’s Victory, British War & 1915 Star medals went to auction, at Lockdales Auction – valued at £100 – £150.

The Royal Garrison Artillery The RGA developed from fortress-based artillery fix positions mainly coastal fortresses and batteries. 1914 the Army only had a small number of heavy artillery. The RGA grew as the warfare became static. Armed with heavy, large-calibre guns and howitzers that were positioned some way behind the front line and had immense destructive power.