CWGC thanks Noonans Mayfair Ltd for this story.

Albert Herbert Adcock was born in Brandon, Suffolk, and was the son of Mr and Mrs W. Adcock of 2 Seaman Cottages, Hopton, Great Yarmouth. He initially served during the Great War with the 7th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and was part of ‘D’ Company (commanded by Captain G. L. Crandon) which relieved a company of the 12th Battalion, Manchester Regiment from a trench position near the Millencourt Road, Somme, 2 April 1918.

According to the Battalion War diary, the company was subjected to heavy trench mortar and artillery fire for the first two days in the line. During the course of which an ugly incident occurred with one of the posts of ‘D’ Company:

‘The enemy was seen advancing. The SOS was sent up and rifle and Lewis Gun (LG) fire at once opened with good effect. He succeeded in getting within bombing distance of No. 6 Post and started to bomb it. This post was occupied with a LG under No. 265002 Sgt. W. Drew. Under this N.C.O.’s influence the men had discarded their equipment during the bombardment and immediately the bombing started Sgt Drew put up his hands in token of surrender, without making the slightest effort to defend his post.

 Capt. Crandon seeing the situation shouted to them to defend the post, this was apparently heard, owing to considerable hesitation on the part of 3 men. They all however went towards the enemy. Capt. Crandon at once order his Coy. to shoot at them and at least 2 out of the 5 were wounded… On the remainder of the front the enemy was repulsed with considerable loss.’

As well as the two wounded, Private H. Skinner was also killed in this incident. The post was retaken from German possession later the same day. The Company’s positions were attacked again on 5 April, and once again repulsed. They were relieved the following day. The conditions had been atrocious, and the already severe mud had been worsened by heavy rain throughout their five days in the front line.

The Battalion War Diary lists 13 officers and men, including Crandon and Adcock, as having distinguished themselves during this period (2-6 April 1918):

‘I particularly wish to place on record the excellent spirit displayed by this Coy. throughout a very trying period. They fought exceedingly well and showed a fine spirit of determination under severe shell, TM and MG fire and severe climatic conditions ….’

The M.M. was published in the London Gazette 16 July 1918.

The Battalion was reduced to cadre strength on 19 May 1918, and Adcock was one of 11 officers and 408 men who transferred to the 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment five days later.

During 8-9 August, the Battalion was engaged in attacks at Morlancourt, as part of The Battle of Amiens and the start of The Hundred Days Offensive. The Battalion were still engaged in operations in and around Morlancourt, 11 August 1918 when Private Adcock was killed in action.

Private Adcock is buried in the Ribemont Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, and is commemorated on the Hopton-on-Sea War Memorial.

Edgar John Adcock served during the Great War as a Deck Hand with the Royal Naval Reserve and fell into the river at Great Yarmouth, and is presumed to have drowned on 29 February 1916. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent and the Hopton-on-Sea War Memorial.

James Holton Adcock served during the Great War with the West Riding Regiment. He was discharged due to wounds.