Albert is listed as being killed in action on 1st December 1917. The 8th Battalion war diary for the period 30th November to 2nd December and an obituary in the Coventry Herald are transcribed below. Please note that the war diary records "Nil Casualties" for the 1st December.
War Diary 30th Nov to 1st Dec
Emile Camp – 30th November 1917: In accordance with instructions received, working parties were found as under:- D Coy furnished a party as usual for work on Dugouts under the supervision of 253rd Tunnelling Coy, R.E. The party reported for work at 7.15am and returned to camp at 4.15pm.
A Coy found a fatigue party of 2 officers and 82 other ranks which reported to the R.R,. dump at Boesinghe at 3pm and was employed until 8pm carrying camouflage to Angle Point, where it was dumped.
Coys not furnishing working parties were employed on the camp under the pioneer and sanitary Sgts.
Emile Camp – 1st December 1917: Working parties were found by the Battalion as follows:- A Coy found a party which reported to the 80th Field Coy, R.E. at 9.30am and was employed clearing the canal of debris, timber etc. The party was dismissed at 12.45pm.
C Coy supplied a party which reported for work to the R.E. at Boesinghe and was detailed to revet dugouts on the Canal Bank until 12.45pm, when it was dismissed.
D Coy partly proceeded by the 5.30am train from Elverdinghe to Vulcan Crossing and reported to the 253rd Tunnelling Coy, R.E. at the Broenbeek at 7.10am for work on dugout shafts.
B Coy worked on the Camp under the supervision of the Sanitary Sergeant.
Casualties: Nil
Emile Camp – 2nd December 1917: D Coy furnished a party to report to 253rd Tunnelling Coy, R.E. as for the previous day and continue work on the dugouts.
The remaining Coys were inspected by the Commanding Officer during the morning in Organisation. Work was continued on the Camp.
Casualties: Nil
Coventry Herald Obituary
Coventry Herald - December 14th 1917
Mortally Wounded - Private Albert E. Gillam
News is to hand of an unofficial character that another Kenilworth soldier has died in the service of this country. We refer to Private Albert Edward Gillam of the East Surrey Regiment (who before joining up lived with his wife and baby child at 33 Mill End, Kenilworth. Private Gillam was a smart, well set-up soldier who was wounded in France several months ago and had only been back at the front about 5 months prior to his death.
Two sympathetic and kindly letters have been sent to Mrs. Gillam from the front and details are given of how Private Gillam met his death. A lance-corporal writes as follows:
“I am writing this letter under the most painful circumstances to inform you of the death of your dear husband Albert. He was one of a working party on the 1st inst. An enemy shell came over and he was hit by a piece of shrapnel. It grieves me to tell you that he was mortally wounded, and passed peacefully away almost immediately. He suffered no pain. He was in my section and under all circumstances was a cool, brave fellow. My chums and myself all mourn the loss of so gallant a chum. He was buried and a little cross marks his last resting-place”
Private Gillam is the 67th Kenilworth soldier to fall in action.
