Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Kellam (Killam), a tailor, born 1860 in Markfield, Leics., and his wife Hannah Mary Kellam (nee Poxon, married Q2 1882 in the Market Bosworth, Leics district), born 1857 in Markfield, Leics. Thomas Tertius, was a schoolboy and was born on the 4th February 1885 in Markfirld, Leics., his siblings were, Florence A., a schoolgirl, born 1883, James C., a schoolboy, born 1886, Polly, born 1889, Louisa A., born 1890 and Charlotte, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Markfield, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a tailor and was residing in the family home at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Florence, a domestic worker, James, Polly, Horace, born 1893 and Hannah, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Markfield, Leics., also residing with the family was his widowed paternal grandmother, Ann Kellam, born 1832 in Hugglescote, Leics. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a quarry worker and was residing in the family home at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Florence, James, a coal miner, Horace a farm labourer and Hannah, a schoolgirl. Thomas enlisted on the 16th July 1917 and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force on the 12th November 1917, joining his unit, the Drake Battalion on the 24th November 1917 and serving with it until he was reported missing, presumed killed in action on the 25th March 1918. Thomas was recorded as an Army Reservist on the 10th December 1915.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday January 17th, 1919

SHAW LANE SOLDIER’S DEATH

Mr and Mrs T. Kelham, of Shaw Lane, have just received official news that their eldest son, Private T. T. Kelham, of the R.N.D., missing since March 25th, 1918, has been killed in action. He was a single man, 33 years of age, and worked at the Bagworth Colliery before joining the army. The deceased soldier’s father was a tailor, and one of the Markfield representatives on the Market Bosworth Rural District Council and Board of Guardians. Another son, who went all through the war, receiving only one slight wound, returned home last Friday.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 21st, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Thomas Tertius Kelham, who was killed in action, March 25th, 1918.

“A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled.”

From loving Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 26th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Kellam – In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, A. B. Thomas T. Kellham, Royal Naval Division, killed in action, March 25th, 1918.

“In health and strength he left our home,
Not thinking death so near.
It pleased the Lord to bid him come,
And in His sight appear.

A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is stilled.
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled.”

From his loving Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 21/9/2018