Tom Edwin Adlam

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Tom Adlam as seen on a Gallaher cigarette card

Tom Edwin Adlam VC, Italian Silver Medal for Military Valeur (21 October 1893—28 May 1975) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was twenty two years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 27 September 1916 at Thiepval, France, a portion of a village which had defied capture had to be taken at all costs and Second Lieutenant Adlam rushed from shell-hole to shell-hole under very heavy fire collecting men for a sudden rush. At this stage he was wounded in the leg but in spite of his wound he led the rush, captured the position and killed the occupants. Throughout the day he continued to lead his men and on the following day, although wounded again he still led and encouraged them. His magnificent example and behaviour produced far-reaching results.

Adlam served in the Second World War with the Royal Engineers (Movement Control Section), and later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regimental Museum (Luton, Bedfordshire, England).