Self-taught painter whose varied career included Naval fighter pilot, director of Short & Harlands and bursar at Clifton College in Bristol, where he finally lived. Wartime aviation paintings and sail trading ships of the 1840–1920 period were his main themes and in his 2003 solo exhibition at Tollhouse Gallery, Clevedon Pier, Adlam included landscapes and scenes of children at the seaside, based on his own childhood. Adlam also exhibited at RUA and had two one-man shows at Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton, 1997 and 2001. His work is held in the wardroom, Royal Naval Air Service, Yeovilton, and by Tenby Museum.