Adam A Lt 7th Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders
ADAM, ALLAN, Lieut., 7th (Territorial) Battn. Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), yr. s. of the Rev. James Allan Adam, M.A., of Killorn Villa, 9, Park Place, Stirling, Minister of the United Free Church, Cambusbarron, Stirling (The Bruce Memorial), by his wife, Mary Borland, dau. of the late John Ewing, of Annieslea, Crieff; b. Ellon, co. Aberdeen, 24 Sept. 1894; educ. Ellon Public School; Stirling High School, and Glasgow University (where he was a member of the O.T.C.)
Gazetted 2nd Lieut. 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 17 Aug. 1915; promoted Lieut. 1 July, 1917; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from June, 1916, where he took part in the fighting on the Somme, his battalion being part of the famous 51st (Highland) Division, and was seriously wounded at the attack on Beaumont Hamel 15 Nov. following, and invalided home. His Sergeant, who also was wounded in this attack, said: “No officer could have been more popular with his men, whose welfare was always his chief concern. They admired him also for his free and frank manner of intercourse, his cheerfulness, his coolness in circumstances of greatest risk and danger, and his bravery in leadership. They were ready to follow him anywhere.”
On recovery he joined the Reserve Battn. of his regiment at Ripon on 23 April, 1917; was drafted to the 2/8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Norwich, and was attd. to the M.G.C. at Grantham on 24 May, 1918; returning to France 8 Sept. following, he was drafted to the 2nd Battn of the M.G.C. associated with the 2nd Division at that time part of General Byng’s Army engaged in the advance on Cambrai, and was killed in action near Marcoing 1 Oct. of the same year. Buried in Flesquières Hill British Cemetery, south-west of Cambrai. His Commanding Officer wrote: “Lieut. Adam was killed instantaneously by a shell, while leading his machine-gun section into action. Though he had only been a short time in the battalion, he had already proved himself a brave and reliable officer. Previous to his death he had been doing real good work with his machine guns, and had silenced some enemy machine guns which were inflicting heavy losses on our infantry,” and his Major: “His devotion to duty on the day of the attack, and previously, was a fine example to us all. By his loss this company has lost a most promising officer. He is a great loss to his country, and to me personally, as I had taken a great affection for the boy.”
Lieut. Adam, while at Stirling High School, had gained a pro-minent position in athletics, attaining the distinction of captain of the cricket and Rugby football teams. During his last year at school he was awarded the prize bat, given for the best batting average for the season; unm.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5