No.80990, Gunner, Otto ADAMS
Aged 34
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Thomas Otho Adams was born in Cavendish(Sudbury Q1-1883 4A:624), son of Walter and Elizabeth ADAMS(née BROCKWELL) 1891 census...Aged 8, he was at Lower Street, Cavendish with his father Walter ADAMS [45] carpenter born Glemsford; his mother Elizabeth [46]; brother Willie [11]. All except his father were born in Cavendish. His father died in 1897. His sister Kate [1866] married Thomas William GILDERSLEVE in Cardiff in 1894 1901 census...So far not identified in this census. His widowed mother was alone at Lower Street, Cavendish 1911 census...Aged 26, single, a hay trusser, he was in Cavendish with his widowed mother. She had born 8 children but 5 had already died. She died in 1916. There was apparently at the time an application in hand for deferrment of military service as the Suffolk & Essex Free Press newspaper archive carries a report on the Melfod Tribunal of March 22nd 1916 :-"Melford Tribunal. Otto Adams a roadman from Cavendish again came up, works for Melford Rural Council, widowed mother who depends on him for a home, the only son, adjourned till the next meeting, the applicant said " cant you settle it one way or another, I have been here twice on the job, I don't care a button for myself, it's my mother". |
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He enlisted in Glemsford on 1st February 1916, giving his age as 33 years 347 days, a roadman from Chapel Street, Cavendish, he was 5 feet 8
inches (172.7 cm)tall, chest 37.5" to 40.5 inches (95.3 to 102.9 cm). Next of kin his sister Kate Hannah E.E., Gildersleve, of 5 Van Street, Grangetown, Cardiff.
Amongst his papers is the address of A Adams, 22 Turin Street, Bethnal Green ( an uncle perhaps).
Placed in the Reserves he was mobilised at Fort Burgh, Dover on 12th May 1915. He was posted to the B.E.F. on 26th August 1916, to the 5th Army pool, then to the 3rd Army pool on 9th February 1917 before being posted to 56th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 24th March 1917 and being killed in action 4 weeks later. |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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