Date of birth:

February 1st, 1901 (Farnham/Surrey, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

September 3rd, 1963 (Berlin, Germany)

Service number:

16183

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Lieutenant-Colonel Adams was educated at Haileybury. In April 1921 he was commissioned in the 24th (Defence Force) Battalion. The next year he joined 24th London Regiment. He would serve in the regiment until 24th until 1938. During that period he was appointed to command the Battalion. He transferred to Territorial Army Reserve of Officers (TARO) on 18th February 1938 and was promoted Brevet Colonel with seniority of 18th February 1937.

On 1st November 1938 he transferred to the Royal Artillery (TA) with the rank of Major, having relinquished the rank of Lt Col and served with 72nd Searchlight Regiment RA (TA).

On 10th March 1940 he was posted to 2/6th Bn The East Surrey Regiment as second-in-command. The Battalion landed in France in April 1940 as a line of communications unit and became deeply involved in the battle for France. On 3rd June he assumed command of the Battalion which he led with distinction during the intense fighting prior to the surrender at St Valery on 12th June when he became a prisoner of war. He was imprisoned at Oflag VIIC
Laufen Castle, in Laufen in south-eastern Bavaria. This camp was in use from 1940 to 1942. Most of the prisoners were British officers captured during the Battle of France in 1940. To relieve overcrowding, some of the officers were transferred to Oflag VII-C/Z in Tittmoning Castle. The Oflag existed only for a short time. In early 1942 all the officers were transferred to Oflag VII-B in Eichstätt. Presumably Adams was also transferred to Oflag VII-B.

For his fine leadership he was awarded the DSO. For his conduct during the difficult years in a German prison camp he was made an OBE in 1945 (see citation below).

After the war he entered the service of the Foreign Office (German Section).

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

East Surrey Regiment, 12 Division, British Army

Awarded on:

November 8th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

East Surrey Regiment, 12 Division, British Army

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1945

Citation:
"As a result of his capture at ST. VALERY on 12 June 1940 Lt.-Col. ADAMS was imprisoned at LAUFEN, WARBURG and SPANGENBURG.

Lt.-Col. ADAMS was outstanding for the excellent security work he did whilst he was in OFLAG IX A/H (SPANGENBURG). He also forwarded to the War Office by secret means very valuable information and was particulary active in carrying out other Intelligence work."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - Recommendation for Award for Adams, Donovan Guy Rank: Lieutenant Colonel ... | The National Archives
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37396/supplement/6187
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37340/supplement/5432
  - The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment
  - Home - Online Museum of Prisoners of War