Tributes paid to forces stalwart Tat Adams

Touching tributes have been paid to community spirited war veteran Ernest ‘Tat’ Adams who has died at the age of 97.
Ernest 'Tat' AdamsErnest 'Tat' Adams
Ernest 'Tat' Adams

Mr Adams collected money for every Poppy Appeal since its launch in 1945.

He also went to every Remembrance Day service since 1922, when he first attended with his dad when he was just four.

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Coun Sandra Pickin, secretary of the Hemsworth branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), said: “Tat was just a true gentleman. He was a really happy guy and I don’t think I can ever remember him being miserable.

“He would do anything for anyone and he always had a smile for everybody.”

Mr Adams, of Upton, was also a member of the former South Elmsall Rotary Club and the Royal Naval Association.

He spent 17 years in the armed forces, starting as a seaman and working his way up to acting chief petty officer and combined operations manager.

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His father, stepfather and two brothers all served in the navy and died fighting for their country.

Coun Pickin, who is also the Wakefield Council’s armed forces champion, said: “I have some really fond memories of Tat. He used to come to the arboretum with our branch every year.

“The forces and the Legion meant everything to him and he was just so committed to raising money.”

Former barber Mr Adams was presented with two awards in 2012 when he notched up 90 years of helping the RBL.

Mr Adams’ funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 19 at Pontefract Crematorium.

The cortege will leave Mr Adams’ former home in Upton at 10.45am before the service in Pontefract at 11.20am.