Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 231

A very fine Great War M.C. group of four to Captain R. N. Adams, Royal Flying Corps, late Royal Fusiliers, who won his decoration in an action immortalized in Deeds That Thrill the Empire; he would be tragically killed during an aerial combat on 10 October 1916

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. R. N. Adams. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. R. N. Adams.), good very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1916:

'For conspicuous gallantry and skill. With 2nd Lt. Vernon as Observer, he attacked a flight of six enemy machines within the enemy's lines, and caused one to fall in flames. He was then joined by another of our machines, and together they drove off the remainder, one falling out of control. Previously, with 2nd Lt. Cloete as observer, he brought down an enemy machine, which turned upside down.'

Ralph Newton Adams was born on 21 October 1895, the eldest child of Harry Newton and Mary Maud, neé Randall. He attended Charterhouse from 1909-12 and was in Pageites house, being a member of the Officer Training Corps, reaching the rank of Lance-Corporal.

Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in April 1914, he served in France with the 7th Battalion late in 1914, but contracted dysentery in January 1915.

Transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1915, he took Aero Certificate No. 1967 at Shoreham on 15 October 1915 and thence proceeded to France with, noted as flying with Lieutenant Le Bas on 7 November. He was soon a founder member of No. 23 Squadron on the Western Front, flying Fe2b's. His action of 20 May was covered in Communique No. 37 when, with 1AM Chapman, he attacked an Aviatik over Adinfer Wood. Closing to within 20 yards, he fired two drums into it, sending it crashing into the trees east of the north end of the Wood itself. Adams was made Captain and Flight Commander on 8 July 1916.

His final flight took place on 10 October 1916, with 2nd Lieutenant G. J. Ogg as Observer in Fe2b 4918 when in a combat over Achiet le Grand. Mortally wounded by gunfire in the groin, Adams collapsed in his seat, unconscious. Somehow Ogg reached over and managed to bring the aircraft down over allied lines into something of a controlled crash-landing in a shell hole near Meaulte. Adams did not survive his wounds and was buried with full military honours at Guilemont. Sadly his grave was lost and thus he is commemorated upon the Flying Services Memorial at Arras.

His combat was immortalized in Deeds That Thrill the Empire.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£3,200

Starting price
£2400