Benjamin Gilham

Benjamin Gilham

Killed in action on 16 May 1915, aged about 37

Lance Corporal, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 2nd Battalion

Service no. S/64 (previously 5008)

Remembered at Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

Enlisted in Battersea, lived in Clapham

Information from the 1911 census

Benjamin Gilham, who was 33 in 1911, lived in three rooms at 20 Crosby Row, Bermondsey, south-east London with his wife, Amelia Mary Gilham (nee Craven), 31 and their three children. Benjamin was born in Clerkenwell, Amelia in Dulwich.

The children were

Benjamin George Gilham, 6, born at North Street, Clapham

Ivy Victoria Gilham 4, born at Robertson Street, Clapham

Constance Mary Gilham, 2, born at Heath Road, Clapham.

John West, a wood-chopper, lodged with the family.

Benjamin described himself on the census as an "army pensioner and carman". He worked for Pickfords.

British Army Service Records 1760-1913

Benjamin Gilham joined the Royal West Surrey Regiment on 22 January 1896.

He was 19 years and 3 months old

Gave his occupation as labourer

5 feet 4 3/8 inches tall; 119 pounds

Fresh complexion; grey eyes; brown hair

Scar on left eyebrow, and right elbow

Mole top of right thigh

2 front upper teeth missing

Served 12 years, discharged on 21 January 1908. Enlisted in Army Reserve.

Served in India.

Married Amelia Mary Craven at Emmanuel Church, Camberwell.

Three children.

Father: Benjamin Gilham, 22 Southwell Place, Long Lane, Bermondsey