Francis Adamson 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 Cuthbert Adamson who also attended the High School

When his father became Rector of Houghton-le-Spring, Francis Douglas moved to Durham School, and then on to St John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1913 with a BA. He then entered the Middle Temple, intending to follow a legal career.

When war broke out, he enlisted with the Royal Fusiliers, Public Schools Battalion and, while there, was given a place at Sandhurst Military College.

After leaving Sandhurst as a second-lieutenant, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment (later, to be promoted to lieutenant).

His military career included serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France, where he was killed in action on 16-Nov-1915 near Givenchy.

He was buried at the Guard's Cemetery, Cuinchy, about 15 miles SE of Calais.

On the first anniversary of his death, the Bishop of Durham unveiled a marble tablet in St Michael's Church, Houghton-le-Spring, in his memory.