Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Squadron Sergeant Major Gordon Adams (Service No. 68), an Australian World War One veteran who served our nation at Gallipoli, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Gordon Adams was born in 1872 at Petersfield, Hampshire, England to Robert Adams and Ellen Emma Adams (nee Pink). His birth registration records his name as Edward Godden Adams. He spent 18 years in the 5th Dragoon Guards in England and served in the Boer War. After moving to Australia, he married Emma Warwick on 18 February 1914 in Norwood, South Australia. He enlisted in Sydney on 25 August 1914 and was posted to the 1st Signal Squadron and embarked from Australia on 19 October 1914, bound for Egypt.

On 9 May 1915, Adams left Egypt to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli, where he served as part of the communications section attached to the 1st Light Horse Regiment. During his time on the peninsula, he was temporarily appointed Staff Sergeant Major, vice Kirby (invalided), but reverted to Sergeant upon Kirby’s return. Following the evacuation of Gallipoli, Adams returned to Alexandria on 18 December 1915, and early in the following year rejoined his unit at Heliopolis.
In mid-1916, he transferred to the Signal Troop, attached to the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el-Kebir, and was later taken on strength of the Signal Squadron, Anzac Mounted Division. By October 1916, he was serving at Romani, and was again temporarily promoted to Staff Sergeant Major.

In March 1917, Adams was admitted to hospital suffering from septic sores, and after treatment at El Arish and the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital, he returned to duty in early April. Later that month, however, he was admitted to hospital again, this time with a fractured left tibia. He spent several months in medical facilities at Abbassia and Montazah, including the 14th Australian General Hospital and the British Red Cross Convalescent Depot, before being discharged from hospital and rejoining his unit in the field on 8 September 1917. Shortly after, he was officially appointed Staff Sergeant Major to complete the unit establishment.

Adams continued to serve in Egypt and Palestine through 1918. In October 1918, while still with the Signal Squadron, he reverted temporarily to Sergeant on evacuation to hospital but soon resumed his previous rank. Following the Armistice, he disembarked from transport at Taranto, Italy, on 27 November 1918, proceeding to Bermondsey Camp and later to Grantham, England, where he was granted leave in the United Kingdom during December 1918 and early 1919. After a short period of convalescence leave, he returned to duty in February.

On 6 March 1919, Adams embarked from Portland, England, aboard H.T. Nevasa for return to Egypt, disembarking at Suez on 16 March 1919. Later that month, he marched to Moascar and in April proceeded to Kantara. He embarked for return to Australia aboard H.T. Malta on 3 July 1919, disembarking at Sydney on 10 August 1919 and was discharged soon after.

Squadron Sergeant Major Gordon Adams died at Eventide Nursing Home Sandgate, Brisbane on 10 June 1951 Brisbane, aged 79, and was interred in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
After almost 75 years without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity has now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.