James William Adams
The Reverend, Bengal Ecclesiastical Department, Indian Army
- Register No.
- 6 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- The Reverend (register: Reverend) all Chaplains →
- Unit
- Bengal Ecclesiastical Department, Indian Army all Bengal Ecclesiastical Department VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 December 1879 on this day → all of 1879 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Afghan War
- London Gazette
- London Gazette dated, 26th August 1881 on this day → all of 1881 →
- Born
- 24th November 1839 Cork, Ireland
- Died
- 20th October 1903 at Ashwell, Rutland
- Memorial / grave
- Stow Bardolph Church, Norfolk
Digest of citation
On 11 December 1879 at Killa Kazi, (Afghan War), some men of the 9th Lancers had fallen, with their horses, into a wide, deep ditch and the enemy were close upon them. The Reverend J>W>Adams rushed into the water, dragged the horses off the men, upon whom they were lying, and extricated them. All this time he was under heavy fire and up to his waste in water. Some of the enemy were within a few yards of him and, having let his own horse go in order to render more effectual assistance, Mr Adams had to escape on foot
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ADAMS James William (Reg. No.6)
The Reverend Bengal Ecclesiastical Department, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 26th August 1881 Born on 24th November 1839 Cork, Ireland.
Died on 20th October 1903 at Ashwell, Rutland.
Memorial at Stow Bardolph Church, Norfolk.
Digest of Citation reads: On 11 December 1879 at Killa Kazi, (Afghan War), some men of the 9th Lancers had fallen, with their horses, into a wide, deep ditch and the enemy were close upon them. The Reverend J>W>Adams rushed into the water, dragged the horses off the men, upon whom they were lying, and extricated them. All this time he was under heavy fire and up to his waste in water. Some of the enemy were within a few yards of him and, having let his own horse go in order to render more effectual assistance, Mr Adams had to escape on foot.
Additional information:. The Reverend Adams became Hon. Chaplain to Queen Victoria in 1900 and the Chaplain to King Edward VII in 1901 For the above action the Rev. Adams was recommended for the VC by Lord Roberts. The recommendation was considered impossible as the medal was for the Royal Navy and the Army only. (There was no Royal Air Force at this time.)However, in the London Gazette, dated 24th August 1881it was announced that "The Queen had been pleased by Royal Warrant to direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred on the members of The Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments who might be qualified, etc., etc., etc., and accordingly to signify Her intention to confer this high distinction on the Rev. J. W. ADAMS, whose claim had been submitted for her approval, on account of conspicuous bravery in Afghanistan etc...." He was awarded the Victoria Cross and it was announced in the London Gazette dated, 26th August 1881. Apart from the VC he also held The Bronze Star (for the Kabul to Kandahar march), The Afghan Medal with four clasps, (Kandahur Kabul, Charasia and Pewar).
Additional information
The Reverend Adams became Hon Chaplain to Queen Victoria in 1900 and the Chaplain to King Edward VII in 1901 For the above action the Rev. Adams was recommended for the VC by Lord Roberts. The recommendation was considered impossible as the medal was for the Royal Navy and the Army only. (There was no Royal Air Force at this time.)However, in the London Gazette, dated 24th August 1881it was announced that "The Queen had been pleased by Royal Warrant to direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred on the members of The Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments who might be qualified, etc., etc., etc., and accordingly to signify Her intention to confer this high distinction on the Rev. J. W. ADAMS, whose claim had been submitted for her approval, on account of conspicuous bravery in Afghanistan etc...." He was awarded the Victoria Cross and it was announced in the
Apart from the VC he also held The Bronze Star (for the Kabul
to Kandahar march), The Afghan Medal with four clasps, (Kandahur
Kabul, Charasia and Pewar).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Stow Bardolph Church, Norfolk
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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