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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 310

The campaign group of three awarded to Captain C. B. Adams, 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, who was taken Prisoner of War during the First Battle of Ypres and earned a 'mention' for his gallantry

1914 Star, clasp (Lieut: C. B. Adams. S.Staff:R.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. C. B. Adams), minor pitting, very fine (3)

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915.

Claud Boys Adams was born on 3 April 1887 at Wolverhampton, the son of Charles and Margaret Adams of End Hall, Tettenhall. Educated at Rodsborough House School, Bristol the young Adams was commissioned in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment on 4 May 1907. The family had moved to Pendeford Hall by 1911 and were still there when the Great War began.

He entered the war on 7 October 1914 and was immediately thrown into the First Battle of Ypres. They were stationed at Zandvoorde late in the month when the Germans began massing troops for a major attack. This broke early in the morning of 30 October 1914 and for three hours the Battalion held the line. Eventually the Germans broke through following a heavy bombardment and in the confusion, Adams was taken prisoner of war.

Despite being in the theatre for less than a month he was to earn a ‘mention’ for his gallantry, likely during the bloody action of 30 October. Held initially at Piater Maritzberg he was transferred to Holzminden, the ‘Colditz’ of the Great War. He was doubtless there in July 1918 when 29 officers made their escape, the first Great Escape. Adams was repatriated on 22 November 1918, he continued to serve for some time but resigned his commission in 1922; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate

Starting price
£140