A Collection of Gallantry Awards to the South Wales Borderers

A Great War ‘Festubert 1914’ D.C.M. awarded to Private W. Adams, 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, killed in action, Gallipoli, 5 August 1915

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13208 Pte. W. Adams, 2/S.W. Bord.); Bronze Memorial Plaque (William Adams) plaque with slight bruising, medal nearly extremely fine (2) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Gallantry Awards to the South Wales Borderers.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 23 June 1915; citation 30 June 1915: ‘13208 Private W. Adams, 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers (recently of the 1st Battalion).’

‘For conspicuous gallantry from the 21st to 23rd December, 1914, near Festubert. Difficulties arose in getting necessary supplies to the men in the forward trenches, and the only known communication trench being impassable, he, with another man, carried the rations over a fire-swept zone of 1,100 yards after the ration party had been dispersed by heavy fire. He subsequently returned and took up ammunition to the same trenches.’



William Adams was born in Redbrook, Gloucestershire and enlisted at Newport, Monmouthshire. Serving with the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, he earned the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry near Festubert, 21-23 December 1914. He was killed in action at Gully Ravine, Gallipoli on 5 August 1915, during the attack on Krithia. He was buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, aged 45 years, the son of James and Harriet Adams.

With copied gazette extracts and casualty details and a modern photograph of his headstone