Remembering our Fallen

Customs staff across New Zealand are commemorating Anzac Day in the lead up to Monday.

One of the ways in which we are commemorating is by paying tribute to soldiers who served Customs prior to sacrificing their lives for our country.

Lieutenant Cedric Gilbert Adams was a clerk at Her Majesty’s Customs Authority.

During Cedric Adams' two years of military service he distinguished himself in a manner that warranted exceptional promotion. After his training in Egypt, Cedric embarked for the Dardanelles where he was promoted to sergeant and designated as Battery Sergeant Major. Later he was granted the temporary rank of 2nd Lieutenant.  

Official records show that he was mentioned in Despatches; the London Gazette 4 January 1917, p261, Rec No 462 reads: "At High Wood on the 15th September. During the attack the enemy heavily shelled Switch Trench and area back to Tea Trench. In spite of the very heavy fire this officer ran telephone wires to his Forward Observation Officer and continued observations under intense fire until he was seriously wounded." 

After being hit near Flers, inland from the coast of Normandy in France, with gunshot wounds to his right lung and spine, Cedric was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital, Brockenhurst, Hampshire in England. He was only 24 years old when he died 10 days later on 11 October 1916.