Major George STOPFORD ADAMS

1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
Killed in action in the Gallipoli Landings, Turkey, 11th May 1915, aged 42

Buried: Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey. Grave E.61
Awarded Queen’s South Africa Medal with 4 clasps, 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals
Son of the late Lt General Cadwallader (born in Ansty) and Anna Adams
Grandson of the late Henry Cadwallader Adams of Ansty Hall
Husband of Muriel Ada Adams [nee Harker]. Married 2 Jul 1905 at St Matthew’s, Denmark Hill, London
NNWFHS Memorial: Ansty

Links to Relevant Information

Census and Family History Information

Born c1873 at [British] East Indies
Educated at Wellington College and Sandhurst Royal Military College
Lived at The Hall, Spennithorne, Yorkshire [1881]
Lived at Hawthorn, Upper Holland Road, Sutton Coldfield [1911]

Military Record and Service

Promoted and gazetted to 2nd Lt 23 Feb 1893 – Lancashire Fusiliers
Promoted to Lt 10 Jul 1895
Promoted to Cpt 9 Oct 1899
Promoted to Major 30 Apr 1913
Served in South African War 30 Nov 1900 to 31 May 1902. Served in Orange Free State and Cape Colony

Circumstances Leading to Death
“Major Adams was present at “Lancashire Landing” on Beach W, Gallipoli on 24 Apr 1915 and was killed in action on 11 May 1915. On reaching the beach on the 25th, a withering fire from right left and centre was poured into them and many were instantly killed, including the subaltern on his right and the Sgt. with the wire-cutter on his left. Major Adams at once seized the wire-cutter from him and cut a lane through the barbed wire, through which he and the survivors of his company rushed. Owing to submersion in the water the breech mechanism of their rifles had become clogged. Major Adams therefore gave the order to fix bayonets, and they charged up the heights and drove the Turks from their trenches. The Colonel-in-Chief wrote: “I have heard from many in the regiment of the particularly fine behaviour and leading of your son and I know that in his case the VC was thoroughly deserved”. The colonel wrote “It is far the worst loss we have suffered, and has cast a gloom over the whole battalion as he was so popular with all ranks.”