James Scovell Adams (1898-1918)

By a curious coincidence, Christopher Bushell was not the only man serving with the 7^th Battalion The Queen’s and with a local Neston connection to die on 8 August 1918 in the attempt to reach the First Objective having recaptured Cloncurry Trench.

Second Lieutenant James Scovell Adams was listed in the War Diary as one of the officers wounded on that day but it is recorded by the CWGC that he died later on in the day. Aged just 19, the son of stockbroker James and Nora Adams of Limpsfield in Surrey (and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Paddington, on 12 November 1898) he was educated as a boarder at Mostyn House School, Parkgate.

After Christopher Bushell had been killed by the sniper Colonel Ransome of the Buffs was placed in command and, finding that Cloncurry trench was held by about 100 men of “D” Company, he reinforced the position with “C” Company under Captain Simmonds. He decided that the objectives could still be taken and he ordered Captain Snell to effect this. Snell urged the men in Cloncurry Trench to follow him and led them down the trench. Despite enemy resistance the trench was eventually cleared and consolidated, the Queens being relieved at 5pm when a Brigade of 12^th Division passed through them to capture the ridge and continue the advance. It is believed that James Scovell Adams was injured in this later action

James Adams was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the 7^th Battalion on 1 August 1917 and he embarked for France the following month. He is commemorated on the war memorial in the chapel at Mostyn House and was buried at Pernois British Cemetery, Halloy-Les-Pernois.