Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Husband of Margaret Gordon Adams nee Will of 15 Marmion Street, North Perth, WA. David and Margaret married in Fremantle, WA during 1916

Returned to Australia on 16 November 1919 aboard Pakeha

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Served a four year Blacksmith apprenticeship with John Adams of Aberdeen, Scotland

Next of kin given as his sister Annie Shepherd nee Adams of South Bundbury, WA

Commenced return to Australia on 3 March 1919 aboad HT Euriides disembarking on the 19 April 1919

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

From Australian Remembrance Army

Australian World War One veteran Lance Corporal David Adams MM (Service No. 2286), is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 16 May 2026, along with a further 185 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

David Adams was born in 1876 in Aberdeen, Scotland and he later immigrated to Australia.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Perth, Western Australia, on 8 May 1916, aged 40, stating his occupation as farm manager. He named his wife, Mrs Margaret Gordon Adams, of 15 Marmion Street, North Perth, as his next of kin. He was allotted to the 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements, and embarked from Fremantle on 13 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Macquarie, disembarking at Plymouth, England, on 12 December 1916. He proceeded overseas to France in February 1917 and was taken on strength with the 44th Battalion shortly afterwards.

His casualty record shows that he was wounded in action in the field on 17 October 1917, suffering a gunshot wound to the left leg. He was admitted to a clearing station, then sent through hospital care in France before being transferred to England, where he was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol on 25 October 1917. His condition was later described as progressing favourably, and by January 1918 he was recorded as convalescent. In early 1918 he passed through Command Depots in England before returning to France in May 1918 and rejoining the 44th Battalion in the field in June 1918.

In 1918, Adams was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, the award being promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 95 on 27 June 1918. His later service included periods attached for traffic control and other duties before he reverted to Lance Corporal in March 1919 on being posted to non-military employment. He was granted leave in 1919 and later returned to Australia aboard the troopship Pakeha, which left England in October 1919 and arrived in Western Australia in November 1919.

Available records indicate that he married Margaret Will in Western Australia, with records variously pointing to Fremantle in 1916 and Perth as the place recorded on his death certificate. By 1925, Margaret Gordon Adams was reportedly living apart from her husband in Broken Hill, New South Wales, while David was believed to be in South Australia.

Lance Corporal David Adams MM died on 13 November 1954 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Greenslopes, Brisbane, aged 82. His cause of death was recorded as cerebral haemorrhage. He was buried on 18 November 1954 at Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. Although he died in Brisbane, he has not been located on electoral rolls in Brisbane or the surrounding districts.

After decades 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 and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget