Description
Distinguished Conduct Medal, GV, British War Medal, 30746 Sergeant Henry Goerge Adams, 100th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery.
DCM officially impressed: “30746 Sjt: H.G. Adams. 100/Sge: By: R.G.A.”
BWM Officially impressed: “30746 Sjt H.G. Adams R.A.”
Also entitled to the Victory Medal.
With copy service papers.
Announced in the London Gazette, 3rd September 1918 with the following citation:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In spite of very heavy shelling, he kept his gun in action. When on 3 occasions severely gassed, he led his detachment to his gun in gas masks, remaining in action under shell fire.
He retired through a barrage in excellent order with a lorry load of stores and his Gun. He acted with uncommon courage.”
It was recorded that his bravery occurred on the 8-9th of April 1918 at Armentieres, known as the Battle of Estaires, fought during the Battle of Lys (7-29th April 1918).
The action was particularly notable for the heavy gas attack which led to this photo of the 55th Division troops who ahd been blinded by the gas like Sgt Adams.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Lys_(1918)#/media/File:British_55th_Division_gas_casualties_10_April_1918.jpg
Henry George Adams was born in Uphall, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Joined the Army aged 19 on 15th January 1909, having worked as a Store Keeper.
Served:
Home, 15th Jan 1909 – 3rd Sept 1912
Mauritius, 4th September 1912 – 24th December 1915, with 56 Battery.
Home, 25th Dec 1915 – 17th May 1915
British Expeditionary Force, France, 18th May 1916 – 12th April 1918, invalided when earning his DCM
Home, 13th April 1918 – 3rd December 1918.
Wounded in action by Gun Shot Wound to right foot, admitted to the 55th Gen Hospital at Boulogne on 10th April 1918, exactly one day after he earned his DCM in the fighting between 8-9th April 1918.
So as well as being severely gassed on 3 occasions he was also shot which led to his disability discharge.
From the beginning of the war until Christmas 1915 he was stationed in Mauritius with the 56th Battery, who were responsible for protecting Port Louis, after they were no longer needed as the German Fleet had been destroyed in that region at the Battle of the Falklands, the men along with Adams were sent home to be dispatched to France to aid in the war they were replaced by the newly formed Mauritius Volunteer Artillery.
