Tom Adlam

He led men into heavy enemy fire and rose again when wounded

Tom Edwin Adlam was born at Salisbury in 1893. Trained as a teacher, he joined the Hampshire Territorials in 1912 and served in India early in the war. Commissioned into the Bedfordshire Regiment, he reached France in July 1916.

At Thiepval on 27 September 1916, Adlam gathered men from shell holes for an attack on a stubbornly defended position. Although wounded in the leg, he led the assault and captured it. He continued directing his men that day and the next despite another wound. He received the Victoria Cross and later the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour.

He became an instructor, returned to teaching and served briefly in the Army Educational Corps. Recalled in 1939, he worked in movement control and port administration, retiring with honorary lieutenant colonel rank. He resumed his headmastership and later parish work. He died on Hayling Island on 28 May 1975 and was buried at Blackmoor.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery during operations. A portion of a village which had defied capture on the previous day had to be captured at all costs to permit subsequent operations to develop. This minor operation came under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. Second Lieutenant Adlam realising that time was all important, rushed from shell hole to shell hole under heavy fire collecting men for a sudden rush, and for this purpose also collected many enemy grenades. At this stage he was wounded in the leg, but nevertheless he was able to outthrow the enemy and then seizing his opportunity, and in spite of his wound, he led a rush, captured the position and killed the occupants. Throughout the day he continued to lead his men in bombing attacks. On the following day he again displayed courage of the highest order, and though again wounded and unable to throw bombs, he continued to lead his men. His magnificent example and valour, coupled with the skilful handling of the situation, produced far-reaching results.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 November 1916. 25 November 1916, Numb. 29836, pp. 11525-26