A SCARCE VICTORIA CROSS CARTES DE VISITE OF REVEREND JAMES WILLIAM ADAMS WHO WAS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR ACTIONS DURING THE SECOND AFGHAN WAR IN WHICH HE SAVED FALLEN SOLDIERS THAT HAD BEEN TRAPPED DOWN A DITCH, RISKING HIS LIFE AND SAVING THEIRS. THIS ACT OF GALLANTRY MADE HIM THE FIRST CLERGYMAN TO RECEIVE A VICTORIA CROSS

““Bengal Ecclesiastical Establishment, late Chaplain to the Kabul Field Force, The Reverend J. W. Adams During the action at Killa Kazi, on the 11th December, 1879, some men of the 9th Lancers having fallen, with their horses, into a wide and deep “nullah” or ditch, and the enemy being close upon them, the Reverend J. W. Adams rushed into the water (which filled the ditch), dragged the horses from off the men upon whom they were lying, and extricated them, he being at the time under a heavy fire, and up to his waist in water. At this time the Afghans were pressing on very rapidly, the leading men getting within a few yards of Mr. Adams, who having let go his horse in order to render more effectual assistance, had eventually to escape on foot”.

James William Adams (1839-1903) was born in Cork, Ireland on 24th November 1839, the son of Thomas O’Brion Adams, JP, and Elizabeth Williams, who hailed from Scotland. He was educated at Hamlin and Porter’s School, Cork, and at Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a keen sportsman in athletics and gymnastics, and also a fine horseman…………

The above taken from the fine vconline website:

http://www.vconline.org.uk/james-william-adams-vc/4585906641.html

A scarce original period VC recipient VC CDV