Cuthbert Adamson came to the High School at the age of 8 from the preparatory section of Miss Stewart's Girls School.

He was the son of Rev Cuthbert Edward Adamson (the first vicar of St Michael's & All Angels, South Shields, and formerly curate of St Hilda's), and brother of Francis Douglas Adamson who also attended the High School and who was killed in action during the war.

When, in 1910, Cuthbert's father was appointed to be Rector of Houghton-Le-Spring, the family moved to the Rectory in Houghton and Cuthbert left the High School to attend Durham School.

His WW1 career was with the Royal Garrison Artillery, where he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant while positioned with the Yorkshire Light Infantry.

He survived the war, and died in South Shields early in 1970.