Frank Raphael Adams (1890-1972)

1915

Wyndham City Libraries

text

eng

Frank Raphael Adams

2104

Annie Adams
Mother

Spotswood

Single

Unknown

No. 2104  Private Frank Raphael Adams
Frank Raphael Adams was born in Williamstown, Victoria in May 1890.  

War Service
Prior to enlisting with the 5th Battalion's 6th Reinforcements in Melbourne on 15 March 1915 just a few months before his 26th birthday, he was working as a grocer.

His enlistment papers say that he was just over 5'6" tall with grey eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion.  Frank's next of kin was his mother, Annie, who was living at Ferguson Street, Spotswood.

After basic training, Frank Adams and his mates left Sydney by ship bound for the Mediterranean in June 1915.  At the time, Australians were coming to terms with the stories of the fierce fighting and the losses in the Dardanelles at a place called Gallipoli.

There was very little time for acclimatisation or for further training and by 5 August 1915, Frank was taken on strength with the 5th Battalion already in place in Gallipoli.  The very next day, the Battle of Lone Pine started.  Over the next four days, Australian troops suffered more than 2,300 casualties – including members of the 5th Battalion.

The war diary for the unit notes that on 7 August 1915, battalion strength stood at 20 officers and 757 other ranks. By 28 August, the numbers had dwindled to 475 other ranks, although only officer was reported as a casualty.

One of these soldiers was Private Frank Adams. On 18 August 1915, he received a severe shell wound to the head.  He was unconscious for 12 hours and was evacuated first to Alexandria in Egypt and then to the London General Hospital at Camberwell in England.

Frank was in hospital for more than six months before being returned to Australia.  The nature of his wounds were so severe that he was discharged from the army in July 1916.

Post War
Frank married Stella Dilks in 1918 and died at Heidelberg, Victoria in 1972 aged 81.

Medals & Entitlements:

• 1914/15 Star Medal
• British War Medal
• Victory Medal

He also received the Anzac medallion and badge granted to the veterans of the Gallipoli campaign.

NAA citation: NAA: B2455, Adams F
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_71.asp - Battle for Lone Pine AWM
http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1004354.pdf - 5th Battalion war diaries

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal