WILLIAM SYME ADAMS, Sgt 240482, 9th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

WILLIAM SYME ADAMS, Sgt 240482, 9th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), is NOT listed on the Larkhall War Memorial.
He is named on a family gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery (see above), and was the husband of Marion Murray of 49 Wellgate Street, Larkhall.

WILLIAM SYME ADAMS was born in Hamilton on 13 December, 1888.

His parents were William Adams, a Railway Mineral Brakesman, and Jane Syme who were married on 27 July, 1882, at Hamilton.
His paternal grandparents were Andrew Adams, a ploughman, and Janet Boyle.
His maternal grandparents were William Syme, a blacksmith, and Jane Hepburn.

The 1891 Census for Hamilton was taken on 5th April, 1891.
WILLIAM SYME ADAMS and his family were living at 20 Almada Street, Hamilton.
William Adams, age 30, Head, Crane Driver, b Ireland
Jane Adams, age 30, Wife, b Cambusnethan
Andrew Adams, age 7, Scholar, b Hamilton
Jane Hepburn Adams, age 4, b Hamilton
WILLIAM SYME ADAMS, age 2, b Hamilton

The 1901 Census for Motherwell was taken on 30th March, 1901.
WILLIAM SYME ADAMS and his family were living at 83 Merry Street, Motherwell.
William Adams, age 40, Head, Chimney Sweep, b Ireland
Jane Adams, age 40, Wife, b Wishaw
Andrew Adams, age 17, Pupil Teacher, b Hamilton
Jane Hepburn Adams, age 14, b Hamilton
WILLIAM SYME ADAMS, age 12, Scholar, b Hamilton
Adam Adams, age 6, Scholar, b Larkhall
Janet Boyle Adams, age 3, b Motherwell
Lillias Baxter Adams, age 1, b Motherwell.

The 1911 Census for Motherwell was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
WILLIAM SYME ADAMS and his family were living at 87a Merry Street, Motherwell.
William Adams, age 50, Head, Steam Craneman, b Ireland
Jane Adams, age 50, Wife, b Wishaw
Andrew Adams, age 27, Teacher, b Hamilton
WILLIAM SYME ADAMS, age 22, Teacher, b Hamilton
Adam Adams, age 16, Apprentice Boilermaker, b Larkhall
Janet Boyle Adams, age 13, Scholar b Motherwell
Lillias Baxter Adams, age 11, Scholar b Motherwell
Bessie Adams, age 9, Scholar, b Motherwell

WILLIAM SYME ADAMS enlisted at Hamilton as No 240482, 9th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
There is no date on his Medal Roll Index Card (MIC) which indicates that he went to France after 1915.
Also his rank of Acting Colour Sgt indicates that he had previously served (possibly as a Territorial), or because of his profession as a teacher.

MARION MURRAY was born on 25th February, 1891, at 59 Wellgate Street, Larkhall.
Her parents were David Murray, a coal miner, and Marion Glassford, who were married on 31 December, 1886, at Larkhall.
Her paternal grandparents were William Murray, a carter, and Marion Brown.
Her maternal grandparents were John Glassford, a carter, and Janet Brown.

In the 1891 Census for Larkhall, MARION MURRAY was living with her family at 118 Wellgate Street, Larkhall.
David Murray, age 29, Head, Coal Miner, b Glasgow
Marion Murray, age 25, Wife, b Larkhall
William Murray, age 2, b Larkhall
MARION MURRAY, age 2 months, b Larkhall.

In the 1901 Census for Larkhall, MARION MURRAY was living with her family at 24 High Pleasance, Larkhall.
David Murray, age 40, Head, Coal Miner, b Glasgow
Marion Murray, age 36, Wife, b Larkhall
William Murray, age 13, Scholar, b Larkhall
MARION MURRAY, age 10, Scholar, b Larkhall.
Jessie Murray, age 8, Scholar, b Larkhall
Isabella Murray, age 6, Scholar, b Larkhall
Jane Murray, age 3, b Larkhall
David Murray, age 1, b Larkhall.

In the 1911 Census for Larkhall, MARION MURRAY was living with her family at 49 Wellgate Street, Larkhall.
David Murray, age 50, Head, Coal Miner, b Glasgow
Marion Murray, age 45, Wife, b Larkhall
William Murray, age 22, Coal Miner, b Larkhall
MARION MURRAY, age 20, Mill Worker, b Larkhall.
Isabella Murray, age 15, Scholar, b Larkhall
Jane Murray, age 13, Scholar b Larkhall
David Murray, age 11, Scholar, b Larkhall.
John Murray, age 9, Scholar, b Larkhall
Lizzie Murray, age 7, Scholar, b Larkhall
Martha Murray, age 9 months, b Larkhall.

On 25 February, 1915, WILLIAM SYME ADAMS, then age 26, of 1 Quarry Place, Hamilton, married MARION MURRAY, age 24, a silk twister of 49 Wellgate Street, Larkhall, at 49 Wellgate Street, Larkhall. Their marriage records shows that WILLIAM was a School Teacher and a Sergeant in the 2/6th Bn Scottish Rifles.

The 2/6th Bn was formed at Hamilton in September 1914 as a home service ("second line") unit. In January, 1915, it came under orders of 195th Brigade in 65th Division. The 2/6th Bn moved to Cambusbarron by August, 1915.
In November, 1915, with 2/7th Bn, they formed the 18th Battalion.
In January 1916, absorbed the 2/7th Bn., moved to Billericay in March 1916 and on to Terling in Essex by July 1916. Moved to Kilworth in Ireland in January 1917 and a year later to Galway.
On 15th May, 1918, it disbanded in Ireland.

On 29 October, 1915, a son William Syme Adams was born at 49 Wellgate Street, Larkhall.
In 1917, a daughter Marion Glassford Adams was born in Larkhall. Her birth record is not yet available online.

I cannot find any record of when WILLIAM SYME ADAMS was transferred to the 9th Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), which is the Battalion he was serving in when he was Killed-In-Action on 23 March, 1918.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his widow Marion received Oustanding Wages of £7/-/10 and a War Gratuity of £18/10/-.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) records the death of Sergeant WILLIAM SYME ADAMS on 23 March, 1918, and his commemoration at POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France.
He is named on Panels 37 and 38, indicating that his remains were never recovered.
There are 14,692 casualties commemorated at POZIERES MEMORIAL.

The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) at Edinburgh Castle records the death of Sergeant WILLIAM SYME ADAMS.

 

A newspaper clipping from The Motherwell Times, dated 26th April, 1918, shows that Sgt Adams was the brother of Major Andrew Adams.
It reads:
"MOTHERWELL & THE WAR
Local Men in the Lists.
KILLED.
Following upon information received from his brother, Major Andrew Adams, who is at present serving with the Canadian Forces in France, official confirmation has been received of the death of Sergeant William Syme Adams, of the Scottish Rifles, who was killed in action on 23rd March. Previous to the outbreak of war Sergeant Adams was a keen Territorial, and early in November 1914 he joined the local battalion and went to France six months ago. He was a teacher in Muir Street School, and his cheery and unassuming manner made him a general favourite with the pupils and his fellow teachers. Sergeant Adams was well known in the town, and the news of his death will be deeply felt by those whose privilege it was to know him. He is survived by a widow and two children, who at present reside in Larkhall. His parents were well known in Motherwell, where they resided for many years prior to emigrating to Australia four years ago.".

 

The War Diary of the 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) shows that they were involved in an operation near the Canal at JUSSY, France, during the 21st to 23rd April, 1918.
The Casualties reported in the Diary for this period were:
Killed                               - Officers 3  - Other Ranks 35
Wounded                        - Officers 4  - Other Ranks 131
Missing                            - Officers 1  - Other Ranks 146
Wounded and Missing - Officers 3 - Other Ranks 4
Gassed                             -                    -  Other Ranks 6
Shell Shock                     -                    - Other Ranks 3

 

With no further details, I can only guess that WILLIAM SYME ADAMS was one of these Casualties who were Killed on 23rd April, 1918.

Lest We Forget!