Adam was born in Glasgow on the 15th July 1915. When he volunteered for naval service on 27th March 1940, his occupation was listed as “Shepherd”. He signed up for 12 years service. After initial training at Portsmouth and aboard the training carrier HMS Argus as a Stoker, Adam was assigned to HMS Forester, the first of several destroyers he would serve on. It was aboard HMS Forester that Adam first experienced Artic Convoy duties.
In late March 1942, Convoy PQ14 assembled at Loch Ewe and sailed for Murmansk via Iceland. Although HMS Forester was designated for Ocean Escort duties, along with HMS Foresight and HMS Edinburgh, it is uncertain whether they actually did provide convoy protection or whether they broke from convoy protection to engage German warships that were known to be in the vicinity. Nevertheless, only 7 of the 25 Merchantmen made it to Murmansk. Most Merchantmen were damaged by pack ice and were forced to return to Iceland. SS Empire Howard was sunk by a German U Boat.
The return convoy (QP11) of 13 merchant ships and eighteen warships, including HMS Forester, sailed for Iceland in late April 1942. The convoy was attached first by Junker aircraft then by U boats. HMS Edinburgh was significantly damaged by two direct hits and was ordered to leave the convoy and return to Murmansk, escorted by HMS Forester and HMS Foresight but they were intercepted by German destroyers. In the exchanges that followed, all three ships took direct hits. HMS Forester suffered serious damage fore and aft as well as in the boiler room. 12 men were killed (including the captain) and another 9 men were wounded. HMS Edinburgh managed to sink one of the German destroyers before she was struck again midship. HMS Edinburgh finally succumbed to a torpedo from HMS Foresight, once survivors had been rescued. HMS Forester limped back to Murmansk for temporary repair, subsequently arriving at Scapa Flow on 18ther HMS Impulsive. He safely completed four convoys in 1943 (JW53, RA53, JW54A and RA54B). JW53 is notorious for sailing through probably the worst weather of any convoy. Ferocious gales and mountainous seas took it’s toll on the convoy. Six merchantmen were damaged and were forced to return to Iceland. Even the light cruiser, HMS Sheffield was forced to return to port as some of her armour plating was ripped off by the wind and seas.
In January 1944, Adam transferred to brand new destroyer HMS Ursa and spent the next 18 months or so in the Indian Ocean and South seas engaging Japanese forces. After a further 18 months with HMS Ursa, Adam subsequently went on to serve aboard HMS Comus, HMS Mull of Galloway, and HMS Jupiter. During this time he was promoted to Petty Officer Stoker. He ended his naval career with HMS Rattlesnake and was discharged in December 1953. Sadly, Adam died less than two years after his discharge from the Royal Navy, aged 40.