| Regimental number | 2878 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Height | 5' 10.25" |
| Weight | 157 lbs |
| Next of kin | Sister, Mrs Clara Adams, Swan Street, Footscray, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 4 years in the Senior Cadets (81st Area); still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'During the night attack near MORLANCOURT S.W. of Albert on the 28-29/7/18 he carried out his duties with great gallantry. Pte Adams who was in charge of a Lewis Gun team, during the advance, encountered an enemy machine gun nest, which he immediately rushed and succeeded in killing several, after which the remainder surrendered with their gun. Continuing the advance he selected a position for his team while he, himself, went forward and personally reconnoitred the ground in front, during which he encountered another of the enemy and killed him. During the consolidation of the position he worked hard and his cheerfulness during the whole operation set a splendid example to all ranks.' Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
| Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 11 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 20 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 30 June 1916. Taken on strength, 32nd Bn, in the field, 2 August 1916. On Command, Divisional Bomb School, 17 September 1916. Wounded in action, 30 October 1916 (shell shock), and admitted to Anzac Division Station; transferred to 12th General hospital, Rouen, 5 November 1916; to England, Northampton War Hospital, 10 November 1916; transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 12 January 1917; discharged on furlough, 24 January 1917, to report to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 8 February 1917. Found guilty, 9 February 1917, of overstaying furlough from 6 pm, 8 February, to 5 pm, 9 February 1917: awarded 2 days' confined to barracks, and forfeited 2 days' pay under Royal Warrant. Granted furlough from Weymouth, 2-16 March 1917. Transferred to 70th Bn, 23 March 1917. Found guilty, Wareham, 23 April 1917, of being absent from Tattoo, 22 April, till reporting 11.30 pm, 22 April: awarded 7 days' confined to camp. Found guilty, Wareham, 27 April 1917, of failing to answer his name as defaulter: 7 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited £1.15.0 Found guilty, Wareham, 14 August 1917, of failing to obey Brigade Orders (Bounds), 13 May 1917: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited 15/- pay. Found guilty, Windmill Hill, 20 June 1917, of neglecting to obey orders, viz. appearing on parade incorrectly dressed: awarded 3 days' confined to camp. Found guilty, Windmill Hill, 10 July 1917, of being absent from parade: awarded 3 days' confined to camp. Found guilty, Windmill Hill, 16 August 1917, of neglecting to obey the order of his superior officer: awarded 14 days' detention. Transferred to 69th Bn, 19 September 1917. Found guilty, Hurdcott, 1 October 1917, of being absent without leave from midnight, 30 September, till 0800, 1 October 1917: awarded 1 day's Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited 1 day's pay. Proceeded overseas to France, 16 October 1917; marched out to unit, 18 October 1917. Taken on strength, 32nd Bn, in the field, 26 October 1917. Accidentally injured (train accident), 16 December 1917 (cut left leg and face), and admitted to 13th General Hospital, Boulogne; transferred to No 1 Convalescent Depot, 26 December 1917. Court of Enquiry, 28 December 1917, found: 'The train was under the sole control of the French railway authorities and no blame whatever for the accident is attached to the troops on the train.' Found guilty, Boulogne, 17 January 1918, of when on Active Service failing to answer his name on parade at 7.30 am: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 1. Marched in to Base Depot, Havre (under escort), 21 January 1918. Awarded Military Medal. Found guilty, 7 June 1918, of being absent without leave, 9 am-4 pm, 7 June: awarded 4 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeiture of a total of 5 days' pay. Admitted to 20th Casualty Clearing Station, 30 June 1918 (influenza); discharged to duty, 3 July 1918. On leave to England, 26 October 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 14 November 1918. Marched out for return to Australia, 5 March 1919; embarked for England, 14 March 1919; disembarked Weymouth, 16 March 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Devanah', 8 May 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 20 June 1919; discharged, Adelaide, 4 August 1919. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal Death attributed to war service (tuberculosis). |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, ADAMS Ernest Austin |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
