Local Heroes WW1

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Last Updated: Sunday, 12 April 2015 16:58

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(Pte) William Thomas Adams

Private (Pte) William Thomas Adams, 7th Battalion, of Port Adelaide, SA. With three years service in the senior cadets in Broken Hill, and employed as an engineer before enlisting in August 1914, Pte Adams left Australia in October 1914.

Landing at Gallipoli as part of the second wave attack on 25 April 1915, Pte Adams was officially listed as killed in action sometime between the 25th April and 2 May 1915.

Pte Adams' younger brother, Trooper (Tpr) Hugh George Adams, 9th Light Horse, also served on Gallipoli, and in a letter to his parents two months later wrote:

"Several days ago I managed to get over to where Bill's company was and met his mate who told me the bad news; Bill got through the wonderful charge allright - but - was shot through the head while in the trenches on the 3rd day". To his mother Tpr Adams writes: "God bless you, though, and cheer you up Mum: Bill died a hero fighting for his country so be consoled with the knowledge that your first son died bravely in honour and glory to save his family and countrymen from an approaching enemy".

Pte William Adams was killed three days short of his 21st birthday, and is buried at Lone Pine Cemetery.

PhotoTop
ID number P06879.001
Collection Photograph
Object type Black & white - Print silver gelatin
Photographer Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made 1914
Description Studio portrait of 684 Private (Pte) William Thomas Adams, 7th Battalion, of Port Adelaide, SA.

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P06879.001/

A Pilgrimage of Remembrance of Local Port Adelaide WW1 Soldier

"On the 5 August 2014 I went to Turkey on a holiday, starting in Istanbul. Straight away I realised this was going to be a memorable trip. Turkey is a melting pot of Eastern, European, Western and dominantly Arabic cultures. The locals are very friendly and helpful to tourists, especially Australians. Once they learn you are "Aussie" they ask about Australia and immediately relate this to Gallipoli.

 

One of the highlights of the Gallipoli tour was placing a brass plaque on the grave of a young Port Adelaide soldier. His name was Private William Thimas Adams. He was 20 years old when he was killed in action at Lone Pine on ANZAC Day, 1915. An original ANZAC, a local boy who got through the shells, bullets and two kms of rugged hills. He made it to the top of Lone Pine, the Turkish stronghold.I can tell you, it looked like extremely tough going, it was very hot and dry. I could only imagine what it would have been like to fight there.

 

As a tour group we searched Lone Pine Memorial site for his grave and eventually found it at the far end, overlooking ANZAC Cove. The Lone Pine Cemetery is the resting place of many young, brave South Australians, West Australians and Tassie boys from the 7th Battalion. I was humbled just to be on site at Gallipoli and even more so to place a plaque in Private Adam's gravestone. I saw my visit there as an opportunity to pay respects to an Australian KIA on foreign soil, to honour a local soldier and to represent the  Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL in a small but special way. The plaque reads:  "Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL Lest we forget".

My partner's Grandfather was also an ANZAC who fought and survived Gallipoli. We reflected on his journey to Gallipoli and harsh wartime experiences which contrasted markedly to our airconditioned coach and tour. The entire ANZAC Memorial covers from the beach landing areas at ANZAC Cove, following through the scrub, cliffs and hills to the top at Lone Pine and across to the Turkish Fotifications at Chunk Bair. A very emotional and exceptionally memorable Australian and New Zealand memorial. It made me proud to be an ex serviceman, an Australian and a member of the RSL. Lest We Forget."

Paul Vinar Service Member Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL