Orders, Decorations and Medals

The British War and Victory Medal pair awarded to Lieutenant C. E. Adams, D.C.M., 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, late Devonshire Regiment, who was killed in action in the train ambush at Headford Junction, Co. Kerry, 21 March 1921

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. C. E. Adams) good very fine (2) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A small collection relating to the Easter Rebellion 1916 and the Anglo-Irish War 1919-22.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 25 November 1916. ‘9229 Sgt., Devon Regt.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of and led his company with great courage and initiative. Later, although wounded, he remained at his post for 24 hours.’

C. E. Adams was born on 14 March 1882. Entering the Army, he served over eight years in the ranks and over one year as a Warrant Officer Class 2. Serving in France and Flanders during the Great War, he was awarded the D.C.M. for courage and leadership as a Sergeant in the Devonshire Regiment during an action in 1916. For his service in the field, on 5 July 1918 he was granted a commission in the Royal Fusiliers. During the course of the war he was wounded on four occasions. After the war it is reported that the Regimental Colours were carried by Lieutenants C. E. Adams and H. E. S. Wall on the occasion of a review by the King at Aldershot on 23 May 1920.

The 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers arrived in Ireland on 21 July 1920; Lieutenant Adams and 32 other ranks being sent to Galbally. Lieutenant Adams was killed in action in an ambush at Headford Junction, Co. Kerry on 21 March 1921, aged 30 years. He was given a full military funeral at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire where he was laid to rest.

On 21 March 1921, Lieutenant Adams and 27 men of “B” Company, 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers were travelling from Kenmare to Killarney on a train along with civilian passengers. Leaving Kenmare at about 01.50 the train arrived at Headford Junction at about 15.00 where the troops had to change train for Killarney. As the first men were getting out, gunfire was opened up on them by men concealed on the banks on both sides of the line and from the station ; the rebels having positioned a machine-gun in the stationmaster’s house.

Lieutenant Adams and three senior N.C.O’s. were immediately cut down. The survivors took what cover they could and although greatly outnumbered returned fire taking further casualties. The unequal contest continued for an hour when another train, approaching from Mallow neared the station. The train contained an officer and 14 soldiers and on hearing the firing up ahead, the officer in charge stopped the train and advanced on foot in extended order towards the station. The arrival of further soldiers caused the rebels to retreat. They left behind two dead - one their commander, Daniel J. Allman, Commandant of the East Kerry Brigade Column I.R.A.; their other dead and wounded they took with them. Of the ambushed party, eight were killed and 11 wounded; in addition two civilian passengers were killed and others wounded.


With some service details and copied newspaper cuttings and other research re the Headford Junction ambush, including extracts from Kerry’s Fighting Story 1916-21, told by the Men Who Made It - which provides an account of action from the rebel point of view and includes words to the song, How Allman Fell.