Leighton Soldier’s Sudden End

The Stag, Plantation Road on the left, about 1906 [Z1306/72/12/1]

Sunday 6th February 1916: Private James Adams, whose wife and family live at 72 Plantation-road, Leighton Buzzard, and who is the son of Mr Josiah Adams, for many years foreman of Mr George Garside’s sand pits, has been killed while serving on the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was one of a family of which many members are with the Colours. Private John Adams (one of the brothers) was with the 1st/5th Bedfordshire Regiment at the Dardanelles and was so badly wounded in the side and leg that his life was despaired of for six weeks. He is now in the Shoreham Convalescent Home. Another brother, Frank Adams, is a Brigade Signaller with the Bedfordshire Regiment at Felixstowe and a third, Private Ernest Adams, is in training at Halton Camp. Another brother, Albert, served 18 years in the Army and went through the Boer War. A sixth brother has been rejected as unfit for military service, another is on munition work and the eldest brother, George, has two sons serving in the Army. The only son of one sister is also on service.

Private Adams leaves a wife and four children. He was 33 years of age and worked in Mr G Garside’s sand pits until twelve months ago, joining the Bedfordshire Regiment when there was an urgent call for more men. He was in training at Ampthill for eight months and went to France about four months ago. His wife has heard from Rev E W Bellern, Chaplain of the 90th Brigade: “It was my sad duty on Saturday to read the Burial Service over the body of your husband, who was killed by a shell in the trenches the preceding night. I know that words of sympathy can do little to help you to bear your loss. But I wish to tell you that I can feel for you in your sorrow and I pray God that He will give you comfort and strength in your grief. Your husband is buried in the military cemetery close behind the firing line(1) and a cross will be placed to mark his grave”.

Sympathy has been received from Private Fred Walker, Bedfordshire Regiment, of South-street who helped bury Private Adams and Corporal Eggleton.(2)

Source: Luton News 17th February 1916

(1) Cérisy-Gailly Military Cemetery

(2) Lance-Sergeant William Eggleton of Leighton Buzzard was killed in action on 30th July 1916