Edward Young Adamson was the son of Stephen and Margaret Adamson of Choppington, Northumberland. He enlisted in the East Yorks Regiment (The Northumberland Hussars) and volunteered for Airborne Forces.

He successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 114 A from 1 May to 8 May 1944. His course report stated “Jumped well, willing worker, morale high”.

He was posted to B Squadron, A Troop, 1st Special Air Service Regiment, Army Air Corps. He was murdered by a Nazi firing squad on 7 July 1944, aged 22 and is now buried in Rom Communal Cemetery, Southern France.