A World War One hero from Brighton, Rifleman Frederick Thomas Adams, has finally been buried in Belgium—just weeks before Remembrance Sunday. The soldier, who was wounded, sent home, then returned to the front where he was killed in 1917, received a full military funeral on October 16, 2024, at the Passchendaele New British Cemetery.
From Missing to Identified: A Century-Long Mystery Solved
Rfn Adams was killed in the infamous Battle of Passchendaele in November 1917. His remains were discovered during 2018 roadworks in Passchendaele. After meticulous research and DNA testing, his identity was confirmed with help from his first cousin twice removed, Bob Adams, who provided the crucial DNA sample.
“We are very proud to be related to someone with such a distinguished service record, and we want to give him the respect that he truly deserves,” said Bob Adams. “We are honoured to attend the burial service today, to commemorate his life that was sacrificed in the service of his country.”
Honouring a Career Soldier’s Final Rest
A career soldier, Rfn Adams fought on the Western Front soon after the war began. He was wounded near Armentières in 1914 and sent home to recover. Undeterred, he returned to the front in 1917 but was killed at Passchendaele later that year. For decades, he was listed as missing and commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial until his remains were identified.
Rosie Barron, a caseworker from the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), praised the soldier’s commitment:
“It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Rfn Adams the full military funeral he deserves. His knowledge and experience would have been invaluable to the men around him. May he now rest in peace alongside his comrades.”
Fitting Tribute from Armed Forces and Loved Ones
The graveside service, led by Reverend Huw Ryden CF, chaplain to the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, included a bearer party from the battalion. Reverend Ryden reflected on the emotional weight of the occasion:
“We, by proxy, represent the generations who so deeply wanted to be here… We now stand for those loved ones, deeply moved by the weight and depth of meaning that this service carries.”
Geert Bekaert, Director for Central and Southern Europe at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), vowed to care for Adams’ grave forever:
“As we move closer to Remembrance, we are honoured to commemorate Rifleman Adams from Brighton, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Now laid to rest near where he fell, Rifleman Frederick Thomas Adams finally receives the long-overdue recognition and respect for his service and sacrifice.
