Sopwith Strutter A5990.
Airman Lt. Adam
04/07/1918
Sopwith Strutter
The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was a British one or two-seat biplane multi-role aircraft of the WW1 It is significant as the first British-designed two seater tractor fighter, and the first British aircraft to enter service with a synchronised machine gun and around 4,000 were built.
The RNAS used most of their 1½ Strutters as bombers (in the Aegean and Macedonia as well as in France) and as shipboard aircraft. In this service it was known as the Ship's Strutter and flew from aircraft carriers and other warships of the Royal Navy where on the latter it took off from a ramp on the ships gun turret. The RNAS and the RFC (and after April 1918 the RAF used the type as a trainer after its operational days were over. Like the Sopwith Pup, it proved a popular personal aircraft for senior officers.
The RNAS used most of their 1½ Strutters as bombers (in the Aegean and Macedonia as well as in France) and as shipboard aircraft. In this service it was known as the Ship's Strutter and flew from aircraft carriers and other warships of the Royal Navy where on the latter it took off from a ramp on the ships gun turret. The RNAS and the RFC (and after April 1918 the RAF used the type as a trainer after its operational days were over. Like the Sopwith Pup, it proved a popular personal aircraft for senior officers.
The Loss
On 4th July 1918 HMS Glorious was anchored in Scapa Flow.
Sopwith Strutter A5990 of the Royal Navy was one of the aircraft serving with HMS Glorious
Sopwith Strutter A5990 of the Royal Navy was one of the aircraft serving with HMS Glorious
H.M.S. Glorious WW1
That day a tragic accident occurred, when aircraft was being launched from the port turret with RN pilot Lt Henry William Adam and observer Lt R A Russell.
It suddenly capsized, and tumbled down on to the deck and fell into the sea, The pilot, Lt Adam, was killed but his observer escaped unhurt.
The body of Lt Adam was recovered and he was given a full military funeral at Lytham (St.Cuthbert) Cemetery.
The aircraft was salvaged the following day and taken to Scapa where it lay for some time before eventually being struck off charge on 31 Oct 1918.
It suddenly capsized, and tumbled down on to the deck and fell into the sea, The pilot, Lt Adam, was killed but his observer escaped unhurt.
The body of Lt Adam was recovered and he was given a full military funeral at Lytham (St.Cuthbert) Cemetery.
The aircraft was salvaged the following day and taken to Scapa where it lay for some time before eventually being struck off charge on 31 Oct 1918.
Lt. W.H. Adam
Name - Adam. William Henry
DOB - 16th June 1896
Place of Birth - Chirton Vicarage, Devizes
Parents - Son of the Rev. H. T. Adam and Emily Adam, of 14, Stanley Rd., Lytham.
Early History -
Rank - Lieutenant R.N.A.S. (R.A.F.)
Service History -
Whitehaven News - Thursday 11 July 1918
DIED.
ADAM.—On July 4th, Lieutenant Henry William Adam, R.AF., HMS. Glorious, youngest son of the late Vicar of Christ Church, whilst flying over the North Sea.
Whitehaven Advertiser and Cleator Moor and Egremont Observer - Saturday 13 July 1918
THE WAR.
LIEUT. H. W. ADAM KILLED WHILE FLYING.
The death has taken place of Lieut. Henry William Adam, R.A.F., H.M.S. Glorious, youngest son of the Rev. H. T. Adam, of Lytham, formerly Vicar of Christ Church, Whitehaven. This intelligence had - reached Whitehaven earlier in the week and was received with sorrow and sympathy by many | connected with Christ Church. “Rex,” as he used to be familiarly called, was a general favourite. Physically he was a handsome youth, and just as handsome was his style, free, affable, and unpretentious. He and his elder brother, Tom, were educated at St. Bees, and both took an active part in the Cadet Corps. The elder was at the Whitehaven Colliery Office and was a mining engineer in other parts of the country before the war, when he got commission in the Royal Engineers. “Rex” took an active part at Christ Church. He was destined for the Church and was studying at Cambridge when the war broke out. Before that he was a member of the choir of Christ Church, and he used to read the lessons. He was at Whitehaven last February, and stayed with, Mrs. Dees. Mrs. Adam just lately had sacrificed the pleasure of a visit to friends in Whitehaven because she was looking forward to the possibility of her sons being home on leave, and she would not chance being away. And then came this sad blow. It is now an old and common story, but the tragedy of it is felt 'as keenly as ever in every loving home in which it occurs.
DOB - 16th June 1896
Place of Birth - Chirton Vicarage, Devizes
Parents - Son of the Rev. H. T. Adam and Emily Adam, of 14, Stanley Rd., Lytham.
Early History -
Rank - Lieutenant R.N.A.S. (R.A.F.)
Service History -
Whitehaven News - Thursday 11 July 1918
DIED.
ADAM.—On July 4th, Lieutenant Henry William Adam, R.AF., HMS. Glorious, youngest son of the late Vicar of Christ Church, whilst flying over the North Sea.
Whitehaven Advertiser and Cleator Moor and Egremont Observer - Saturday 13 July 1918
THE WAR.
LIEUT. H. W. ADAM KILLED WHILE FLYING.
The death has taken place of Lieut. Henry William Adam, R.A.F., H.M.S. Glorious, youngest son of the Rev. H. T. Adam, of Lytham, formerly Vicar of Christ Church, Whitehaven. This intelligence had - reached Whitehaven earlier in the week and was received with sorrow and sympathy by many | connected with Christ Church. “Rex,” as he used to be familiarly called, was a general favourite. Physically he was a handsome youth, and just as handsome was his style, free, affable, and unpretentious. He and his elder brother, Tom, were educated at St. Bees, and both took an active part in the Cadet Corps. The elder was at the Whitehaven Colliery Office and was a mining engineer in other parts of the country before the war, when he got commission in the Royal Engineers. “Rex” took an active part at Christ Church. He was destined for the Church and was studying at Cambridge when the war broke out. Before that he was a member of the choir of Christ Church, and he used to read the lessons. He was at Whitehaven last February, and stayed with, Mrs. Dees. Mrs. Adam just lately had sacrificed the pleasure of a visit to friends in Whitehaven because she was looking forward to the possibility of her sons being home on leave, and she would not chance being away. And then came this sad blow. It is now an old and common story, but the tragedy of it is felt 'as keenly as ever in every loving home in which it occurs.
Grave
Lt. Adam's grave at Lytham (St.Cuthbert) Cemetery. Note his ''Death Penny'' incorporated into the memorial.. Photos: Anthony Leach
