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ADAMS Herbert
2551
Private
15 Battalion
47th Battalion (March, 1916); detached to 4th Canadian Tunnelling Company (11 Jan 1918 - 6 Feb 1918)
Pomona
Yes
Mt Morgan Qld
1 February 1915
HMAT A55 Kyarra
16 August 1915

Like so many who enlisted for the First World War, Herbert Adams fudged his aged. He gave it as 21 on enlistment in February 1915, when he was, at best, 18 years of age.

His parents, Matthew John Thomas Adams and Bridget nee Linane, were married in Queensland in 1886. The children of the marriage were: Margaret(Maggie),1888; Mary Ellen, 1890; John Thomas, 1891; Annie, 1893; Matthew, 1896; and Herbert, 1898.

The family had resided in Mt. Morgan for ten years when, in 1902, a traumatic event occurred which led to it being broken up. By that time, Bridget appears to have died, or for other reasons been absent from the childrenslives, because in March 1902 four of the children, including Herbert, were admitted to the Meteor Park Orphanage, Rockhampton; the eldest child Margaret (Maggie), was placed with a family in Mt. Morgan. The boys appear to have had a strong bond with their eldest sister, as those who enlisted gave her as their nominated next-of-kin, rather than their father - who was then still alive (he died in 1918). The family circumstances may also explain why Herbert fudged his age; by saying he wasof age(i.e. 21) he could avoid the need to get his fathers consent in writing to enlist.

Ship Sailed on (1) HMAT A55 Kyarra ("failed to rejoin transport at Fremantle, 10 Sept 1915"); (2) "reported as stowaway on HMT Star of Victoria 19 Sept 1915"

ADAMS Herbert
ADAMS Herbert
ADAMS Herbert
Returned to Australia
March 1919, on the DEMOSTHENES
Caloundra Family History

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