First Bruny Islander to enlist

Arthur Francis Adams, a bushman, was one of the first to enlist from Bruny Island and landed at Gallipoli in June 1915, where he was on active duty until he was evacuated on 19/20 December 1915.

In early 1916, Arthur Adams went to the Western Front, in France.

Sergeant Adams was wounded in action on 27 February 1917 and admitted to hospital in Edmonton with severe gun shot wounds to the head.  He returned to battle on 22 May 1917 in France, and was promoted Temporary Sergeant on 15 July 1917. Later that year he attend a course of instruction at Command School, then went back to France on 10 January 1918.

Sergeant Adams received a Military Medal for “gallant conduct and leadership at Merteren on 23 April 1918 when his platoon commander had been wounded. He succeeded in keeping his men together and checked any inclination to retire in the face of withering mortar gun fire. He was able to assist in the recovery of the wounded out in front. His leadership was splendid and his example had a great effect on his men”.

Arthur Adams was admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, France on 24 November 1918 suffering from sciatica. He was then transferred to 12th Casualty Clearing station and then to Ambulance Train and was admitted on 26 November 1918 to 4th General Hospital, Camiers. On 2 December 1918 he was reported to be dangerously ill, and died on 7 December from bronchopneumonia.

Sergeant Adams’ brother Private Percy Arnold Adams died on 24 May 1916 from wounds received in action in France.

Acknowledgements

Information courtesy the Bruny Island Historical Society

Photo courtesy Trevor Adams