Charles Adams as the eldest son born to Richard Adams and Margaret James. Richard originally came from Clun Parish of Shropshire, having been born there in about 1869. Margaret James was born in Rhymney, Monmouthshire to Isaac and Elizabeth James in about 1873. Richard and Margaret were married in 1891 in the parish of Bedwellty, Monmouthshire. That year, at the time of the Census, they were recorded as living in Portmanmoor Road, Cardiff where Richard was a blast furnace worker.

By 1901, they were living in Roath in Cardiff where Richard was still a blast furnace worker. By this time they already had four children, namely:

Elizabeth Ann Adams, born in about 1892 in Rhymney
Charles Adams, born in about 1893, in Cardiff
George Adams, born in about 1896, and
Elsie Adams, who was born in 1900 (she was 7 months old when the 1901 Census enumeration took place).

By 1911, Charles must have been missing his valleys roots, since he is shown living at 4 Manest Street, Rhymney with his mother’s brother, Mr John James and his family. Charles is shown as a collier - hewer, working underground in a coal mine.

Charles father, Richard died in 1910 and by 1911, Charles’ mother was living at 30 Pretoria Road, Tonyrefail with her three further children with Richard, namely:

Gertrude Ann Adams, born in 1904
Olwin Adams, born in 1907, and
Reginald Adams, born in 1909.

Margaret Adams had taken on a lodger, William Rees, a married man from Neath.

Charles Adams’ medal index card shows he was awarded the 1915 star in addition to the Victory and British War medals.

Charles Adams enlisted in New Tredegar (date not known but probably 1915). He died of wounds whilst in 33 Casualty Clearing Station, Bethune. This was probably as a result of 'normal trench warfare' (shelling, raids, etc) as no 'battle' was recorded around this time in the Battalion's area near Neuve Chapelle.

Grave location in Bethune Town Cemetery – III.G.44.
Listed on the SWB Roll of Honour.