Sergeant Ralph Burman ADAMS (1891-1917).

NZEF Service # 19100; Sergeant, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion, 15th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 14 September 1891 - at Spring Creek, Malborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.

Son of Albert & Marian Adams - of Blenheim, Marlborough Region.

Prior to enlistment for war service Ralph Adams was employed as a Clerk - with the New Zealand Defence Department - at Rangiotu Military Training Camp, at Palmerston North, Manawatu Region, North Island, New Zealand.

Ralph Adams enlisted for war service - on 31 January 1916 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington Region, North Island, New Zealand. He was 24 years of age.

At enlistment Ralph Adams was posted as a Corporal - with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion, 15th Reinforcements, NZEF.

On 29 July 1916 Corporal Adams left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the 15th Reinforcements NZEF - aboard HMNZ Transport Ship T60 'Ulimaroa' - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Corporal Adams disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - on 28 September 1916 - at Devonport, England.

Five weeks later - on 20 October 1916 - Corporal Adams left England for war service - at France & Belgium.

On 4 November 1916 Corporal Adams joined his battalion - the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade NZEF - at France.

At France Corporal Adams was further promoted to the rank of Sergeant - with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade NZEF.

Sergeant Ralph B. Adams continued to serve - with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade NZEF - until he was killed in action - on 7 June 1917 - at Messines Ridge, Belgium. He was 25 years of age.

Sergeant Ralph B. Adams is commemorated on the Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium.

Sergeant Ralph B. Adams is also remembered in his home country of New Zealand - on the Havelock War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Havelock, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand.

For Sergeant Ralph B. Adams's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

Photo Credit: Havelock War Memorial, Havelock, New Zealand : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; www.nzhistory.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett