William Adair
| Sir William Adair | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 June 1850 |
| Died | 29 December 1931 (aged 81) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Marines |
| Years of service | 1867–c.1911 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
| Relations | Admiral Charles Henry Adair (brother) |
General Sir William Thompson Adair KCB (21 June 1850 – 29 December 1931) was a Royal Marine officer and Ulster Unionist.[1]
Biography
Educated at Cheltenham College, he entered the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a lieutenant on 6 December 1867, and was promoted to captain on 1 July 1881. He received the brevet rank of major on 6 December 1888, the substantive rank of major on 3 May 1889, the brevet rank of lieutenant colonel on 6 December 1895, and the substantive rank of lieutenant colonel on 7 February 1896. In early February 1900 he embarked the SS Canada leaving Southampton for South Africa, where he was to serve in the Second Boer War.[2] He received the brevet rank of colonel on 7 February 1900,[3] and was appointed Assistant Adjutant General on 1 November 1900. Following his return to the United Kingdom, he was promoted colonel 2nd commandant of the Regiment on 30 January 1902.[4] He was Deputy Adjutant-General, Royal Marines (1907–11).[1]
Adair played a prominent role in the Ulster Unionist Party and was commander of the Antrim Ulster Volunteer Force. In 1914, he took charge of the landing and dispersal of guns during the Larne gun-running.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 DJ Hickey & JE Doherty (2003). A New Dictionary of Irish History from 1800. Gill & Macmillan, Dublin. p. 4.
- ↑ "The War – Embarcation of Troops" The Times (London). Monday, 5 February 1900. (36057), p. 10.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27165. p. 1078. 16 February 1900.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27402. p. 647. 31 January 1902.
- D.J.Hickey & J.E.Doherty. A Dictionary of Irish History. Gill & MacMillan. Ireland 1980. p3 ISBN 0-7171-1567-4