Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Adams, a shoe trade finisher, born 1866 in the United States of America and his wife Mary Ann Adams (nee Black, married in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), a shoe trade machinist, born 1868 in Anstey, Leicestershire. George was born on the 20th May 1893 in Anstey, his siblings were, Charles Edward, born in the 3rd quarter of 1889, Muriel Eliza, born 1892, John, born in the 4th quarter of 1895 and Lily, born 21st December 1889, all his siblings were born in Anstey, in March 1901 the family home was at Cropston Road, Anstey. In April 1911 George was employed as a boot trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Cropston Road, Anstey, together with his widowed mother, a shoe trade machinist and his siblings, Muriel, a shoe trade machinist, John, a shoe trade pressman, Lily, a schoolgirl and Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1906 in Anstey. His brother Charles died of wounds received in action and John fell in action.
George attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 25th January 1915 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Anstey, Leicestershire, date of birth as the 20th May 1893 and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He stated that he was unmarried. He stated that he wished to enlist into the 20th Hussars. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7¾ inches in height, weighed 138 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches. His physical development was described as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the East Yorkshire Regiment at Scarborough as a Private, service number 18640 on the 26/1/15. Admitted to Scarborough Hospital suffering from influenza on the 10/2/15 – 22/2/15. Awarded the Army Certificate of Education 3rd Class on the 14/5/15. Transferred to the 3rd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment on the 2/6/15. Posted to the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment on the 7/7/15. Wounded in action on the ?/8/15. Admitted to the 18th Advanced Dressing Station suffering from a shell wound to the right knee on the 10/8/15. Posted to the Depot of the East Yorkshire Regiment on the 21/8/15. Admitted to hospital suffering from a gunshot wound (shrapnel) to his right knee on the 21/8/15 – 6/12/15. Posted to the 3rd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment on the 19/2/16. In arrest awaiting trial by District Court Martial on the 13/3/16. Tried and sentenced to 28 days detention (The whole remitted) on the 23/3/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment on the 22/6/16. Posted to the 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment at Otley on the 6/7/16. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 23/8/16. Appointed paid Lance Corporal on the 6/9/16. Promoted Corporal on the 7/12/16. Appointed paid Lance Sergeant on the 7/12/16. Promoted Sergeant on the 11/2/17. Killed in action on the 25/4/17. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 25/1/15 – 6/7/15, 163 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 7/7/15 – 20/8/15, 45 days. Home Service, 21/8/15 – 21/6/16, 305 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 22/6/16 – 25/4/17, 308 days. Total service, 2 years 91 days. George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by (Not visible due to damage) and was witnessed and signed by (Not visible due to damage) on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, deceased. Mother of soldier, Mary A. Adams, age 52 of Cropstone Road, Anstey. Full blood brothers of soldier, Arthur Adams, age 14 of Cropstone Road, Anstey. Full blood sisters of soldier, Muriel Adams, age 27 of Cropstone Road, Anstey. Lily Adams, age 19 of Cropstone Road Anstey. George’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 25 Apr-17 – INVERGNY. An attack on RIFLE TRENCH ordered to be made by the WEST RIDING and MANCHESTER REGIMENTS with bombing support up BAYONET TRENCH by 7th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. Zero hour 3.30am. The MANCHESTER REGIMENT on the right succeeded in reaching the objective, but the WEST RIDING REGIMENT was beaten back by Machine Gun and rifle fire. Two Companies of the WEST RIDING REGIMENT who came back to our trench were reorganised by “C” Company Commander, and sent forward to the attack under a Company Sergeant Major. Meanwhile our bombing squads had succeeded in working up as far as the junction of RIFLE and BAYONET TRENCHES, meeting with strong opposition, fully supporting the WEST RIDING REGIMENT. The attack of the WEST RIDING REGIMENT having broken down, our bombing squads were compelled to return. Later our artillery bombarded the portion of BAYONET TRENCH held by the enemy and RIFLE TRENCH, ceasing at 9.00pm. An officer’s patrol was then sent out from “B” Company to ascertain whether enemy still occupied junction and West end of RIFLE TRENCH. It was reported to be strongly held. The Battalion was relieved by 2 Companies of the 5th BERKSHIRE REGIMENT, 12th Division, and moved to the TRIANGLE. No accommodation however was provided, the Battalion spent the night in the open. Casualties. Killed Captain H. W. BROOKE. Wounded 2nd Lieutenant A. A. HOPPER, 2nd Lieutenant B. A. KING, Lieutenant E. S. REVIE (Still at duty). Other Ranks. Killed 27. Wounded 120 (6 At duty). Missing 10.