Adam originally joined the Corps of Royal Artillery Drivers but soon absconded, having found that he did not work well with horse teams. He re-enlisted into the 2nd Battalion 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot with which corps he served at Cadiz (where he fought at the Battle of Barossa); witnessed the end of the Siege of Tarragona; fought at the Siege of Tarifa; joined the march to Madrid including the capture of Seville; suffered the subsequent retreat to Portugal; fought at the Battle of Vitoria (where he was wounded); stormed San Sebastian (2nd Storm); and fought at the Battles of Nivelle, Nive and finally the Sortie from Bayonne. Returning home in 1814, he was swayed by the wrong crowd and deserted to his parental home, but was eventually reported and punished by 100 lashes. He finally retired with a small disability pension in early 1817 and settled to raise a family back in his native Essex. ILLUSTRATIONS