Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Gilliam, a hosiery trade worker, born in the 2nd quarter of 1861 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire and his wife Rebecca Gilliam (nee Herbert, married in the 1st quarter of 1881 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a hosiery trade stitcher born 1861 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Joseph Horace was born in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Lucy, born 1881 and Thomas Herbert, born 1883, both his siblings were born in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Joseph was employed as a hosiery trade knitter and was residing in the family home at Tompkin’s Yard, Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, together with his father, a sock framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Lucy a hosiery trade knitter and Herbert, a hosiery trade knitter. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Tompkins Cottage, Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, together with his father, a hosiery trade worker, his mother and siblings, Lucy, a hosiery trade worker and Thomas, a hosiery trade worker. The surname was officially recorded as Gilliam, but was variously spelt as Gillam and Gillham. Joseph attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement for the Duration of the War on the 11th December 1915 in Leicester. He gave his address as Church Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire and his age as 29 years and 290 days. He gave his trade or calling as hosiery hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his mother, Rebecca Gilliam of Church Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7¼ inches in height, weighed 151 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches. His record of service began when he attested on the 11/12/15 and was placed on the Army Reserve as a Private, service number 12157 on the 12/12/15. Mobilized to join the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/4/16. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 28/8/16. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade on the 30/8/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 30/8/16. Reported missing on the 19/10/16. Admitted to C.C.S. on the 4/11/16. Rejoined Battalion on the 9/11/16. Posted to Brigade (71) Bomb Store on the 31/12/16. Rejoined Battalion on the 23/4/17. Died of wounds on the 13/9/17. The following information was provided by Joseph’s mother Rebecca Gilliam on the 25th August 1919, and was witnessed and signed by L. H. Toner, Clerk in Holy Orders of Countesthorpe Vicarage, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Joseph Gilliam of Church Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Mother of soldier, Rebecca Gilliam of Church Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Full blood brothers of soldier, Herbert Thomas Gilliam, age 36 of Church Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Full blood sisters of soldier, Lucy Gilliam, age 38 of Church Street, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Joseph’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history. Joseph was awarded the British and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 13 Sept-17 - Battalion were in the front line trenches at Hill 70. Quiet day in the line. At 7.20am Operational Order 17/40 issued. Advanced party of 1st West Yorkshire Regiment arrived 4.00pm. Very satisfactory relief. Complete 12.57am 14th. Casualties, other ranks A Company 1 wounded. D Company 1 killed.