Sergeant John William Adams Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and Royal Artillery
1914-15 Star (missing), 1914-18 British War Medal (missing), Victory Medal (missing), Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Territorial Efficiency Medal (missing), Efficiency Medal 'Territorial' and clasp.
The Man The only information known about John William Adams are that he enlisted into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders just before the start of World War I in 1914 with service number S/40145. He entered France on 21st August 1915 and served throughout the conflict with the 1/9th and 11th Battalions. Later transferring to the Lincolnshire Regiment with a new number 4792061 and promoted to Lance Sergeant.
Following the war, he was awarded his 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals all named to him in the A&SH.
John remained in the Territorial Army following the war and was promoted to Sergeant. In Army Order 162 of 1929 he was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal still with the Lincolnshire Regiment. He continued his service and was again called up during World War II now in the Royal Artillery Heavy Anti-Aircraft Unit, he served at home during the war and awarded his Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 123 of 1944 his Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ and first clasp.
He claimed his WWII medals in 1948 when living at 13 Spencers Buildings, Morton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
The Story The single Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ to John William Adams was acquired from a stall at Runway Monday Flea Market in Newark on 17th March 2025. It was purchased simply as it was a reasonable price and following an interesting conversation with the seller.
It had already been established that Adams was entitled to the Defence and War Medal from the WWII Medal Index Cards and assumed it would a straightforward trio.
However, on searching for the Army Orders for his EM, an award of the TEM was also found, having been awarded in 1929! His led to a trawl of WWI Medal Index Cards as it was likely he may have served during this war.
After some false starts his WWI card was found and surprisingly had the same service number on it as did the TEM and EM! Sadly no other details could be confirmed due to the large number of John William Adams and the fact he may have hailed from Scotland.
Somewhere ‘out there’ are his WWI trio and TEM.
Following the war, he was awarded his 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals all named to him in the A&SH.
John remained in the Territorial Army following the war and was promoted to Sergeant. In Army Order 162 of 1929 he was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal still with the Lincolnshire Regiment. He continued his service and was again called up during World War II now in the Royal Artillery Heavy Anti-Aircraft Unit, he served at home during the war and awarded his Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 123 of 1944 his Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ and first clasp.
He claimed his WWII medals in 1948 when living at 13 Spencers Buildings, Morton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
The Story The single Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ to John William Adams was acquired from a stall at Runway Monday Flea Market in Newark on 17th March 2025. It was purchased simply as it was a reasonable price and following an interesting conversation with the seller.
It had already been established that Adams was entitled to the Defence and War Medal from the WWII Medal Index Cards and assumed it would a straightforward trio.
However, on searching for the Army Orders for his EM, an award of the TEM was also found, having been awarded in 1929! His led to a trawl of WWI Medal Index Cards as it was likely he may have served during this war.
After some false starts his WWI card was found and surprisingly had the same service number on it as did the TEM and EM! Sadly no other details could be confirmed due to the large number of John William Adams and the fact he may have hailed from Scotland.
Somewhere ‘out there’ are his WWI trio and TEM.
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World War I and II Medal Index Cards showing award of the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War, Victory, Defence and War Medals 1939-45.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: Missing
- 1914-18 British War Medal: Missing
- Victory Medal: Missing
- Defence Medal: Unnamd as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Territorial Efficiency Medal: Missing.
- Efficiency Medal: 4792061 SJT.J.W.ADAMS.R.A.
Page last updated 7 May 25
