Henry (Harry) GILLAM DCM

Henry (Harry) GILLAM DCM Update Details

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GILLAM, Henry

Service Number:	832
Enlisted:	8 March 1916
Last Rank:	Regimental Sergeant Major
Last Unit:	40th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Exton, Tasmania, Australia, January 1890
Home Town:	Hobart, Tasmania
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Miner
Died:	Moonah, Tasmania, Australia, 6 November 1969, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Cornelian Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, Tasmania
Memorials:	Hobart Roll of Honour, Municipality of Ross Roll of Honour, Ross War Memorial

World War 1 Service

8 Mar 1916:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 832, 40th Infantry Battalion
1 Jul 1916:	Involvement 832, 40th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: ''
1 Jul 1916:	Embarked 832, 40th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Hobart
24 Mar 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 40th Infantry Battalion
12 Dec 1918:	Promoted AIF WW1, Regimental Sergeant Major, 40th Infantry Battalion
14 Aug 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Regimental Sergeant Major, 832, 40th Infantry Battalion
11 Dec 1919:	Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, "The Last Hundred Days", During the period 25 February to 17 September, 1918, he performed sterling services. As a platoon sergeant, on 28 March, near Morlancourt, he led and fought his platoon with great courage and judgment. Later, in the Buire sector, his enterprise and initiative was a splendid example to all. Transferred from his company to battalion headquarters, he did excellent work as provost sergeant and as acting regimental sergeant major during the indisposition of the then regimental sergeant major. He has done excellently throughout the period, and his coolness under fire and devotion to duty has won the unstinted admiration of all

Help us honour Henry Gillam's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Evan Evans

The Museum at The Tasmanian Wool Centre

832 RSM Henry (Harry) Gillam DCM

Harry had been working as a miner when he enlisted in March 916, joining the 40th Battalion. He was 26, and married to Ellie, the sister of Tom Garwood.

From August 1917, he was deployed fighting in France and Belgium. He was awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre for his role in action at Passchendaele in October 1917 when he and his men held their line against a German attack. Harry showed 'bravery and initiative...of the very highest standard' [and] 'conspicuous ability and gallantry'.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918 when 'he led and fought his platoon with great courage and judgement' and 'his coolness under fire and devotion to duty...won the unstinted admiration of all'. He ended the war with the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major.

On is return to Tasmania, Harry joined the police force, and was posted around the State. In 1944, he took on a government role for the rehabilitation and employment of ex-servicemen. His son, Kenneth, served in WWII and at the siege of Tobruk.

Harry's story is part of our exhibition: Our Grateful Thanks and Loving Remembrance, a moving and deeply personal exhibition remembering the soldiers whose names are immortalised on the Ross War Memorial.

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia