James Gerard Adamson was born in May 1917.

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, James served with the Gloucestershire Regiment as part of the Territorial Army, working in the paymasters office, before volunteering for Airborne Forces in August 1944.

He completed Parachute Course 136 in October 1944, at RAF Ringway, and served thereafter with A Coy of 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion.

James Adamson fought in the campaign in north-west Europe 1944-45 and was promoted to Corporal.

After the war, he joined the Manchester Police Force, and became their boxing champion.

James Adamson died in February 1972, aged 54 years old.