Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Snake Valley & District Historical Society

Adams T (SRN 460)

Private Thomas Charles Adams was born in Snake Valley in 1893. His parents are listed as Robert and Amelia (nee Facey) Adams. Prior to enlisting, Thomas worked as a labourer.

On the 2nd of May, 1916, the age of 23, Thomas enlisted at Brunswick, Melbourne and was transferred to Geelong. Thomas was posted to the 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion and proceeded overseas on the 27th of June of 1916 per the 'Barambah'.

The records suggest that he underwent training at Chiseldon Camp in Swindon, southwest England. Chiseldon Camp was a key training facility and staging post for soldiers bound for WW1. Although little remains of the camp today, it once had its own railway station and hospital. Recruits to Chiseldon in the early days were from Scottish Regiments, but the camp eventually saw soldiers drafted in from regiments all over the UK - as well as Australians and Canadians.

In the November of 1916, Thomas left the UK and proceeded to France with the 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion. In August 1918 he was wounded in action in France, and invalided to a UK military hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds to the buttock and thigh.
His war records document that at one point, Thomas had to pay for replacement of his bicycle which was stolen “due to neglect while on duty”. Four Pounds Eleven Shillings and Eighteen Pence!

He returned to Australia on the 17th July, 1919 via the ship ‘Mahia’.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Thomas also served in WW2 with his brother, Frank.
He lived in Snake Valley following his return from service. Thomas did not marry. He passed away in the May of 1976 and is buried in the Ballarat Cemetery.

The AIF Cyclist Battalion: 

It is a lesser known fact that the humble bicycle played an important logistical role in WW1. Approximately 3,000 men served in the Australian Cycling Corp.

We know of two local men who served within the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) cycling units. This week, we take the opportunity to remember Private Thomas Charles Adams and Private Richard Percy Yeoman and honour their service. Both men served in WW1 and WW2.

The Australian Cycling Corps fought on the Western Front in France and Belgium. The 1st and 2nd Cyclist Battalions were formed in France and attached to the I and II ANZAC Corps. Those serving in the Cycling Corps had multiple roles and responsibilities. They were deployed to the front line, as well as performing duties such as traffic control, patrolling, cable burying and reconnaissance work.

You might wonder about the bicycles used by these men – technology has certainly advanced dramatically since the models manufactured in 1916. The bikes were made in England from the ‘Birmingham Small Arms Company’. Although practical – they certainly lacked the luxuries of modern design when it came to comfort and functionality.

The landscape that the Cycling Corp had to navigate was varied and would have been unbelievably challenging. It is difficult to imagine riding through paddocks, mud and rubble, whilst carrying a gun and heavy load, often under the real threat of shellfire.

Son of Robert Adams and Amelia Adams nee Facey of Snake Valley, Victoria

Commenced return to Australia on 4 June 1919 aboard HT Mahia disembarking on the 17 July 1919

 Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal