This officer was the first officer of the 2nd Canadian Contingent (Division) to be killed in action.
Brother to Private Cyril Francis Hallam, who survived the war.
Captain Ernest Walter Hallam is listed at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and the images found there are attached. One thing struck me though as I was reading the clippings.
If you read one of the clippings you will note that the paper states he has 3 brothers serving in the military. A search at the CWGC found that if you cross reference the names of Captain Hallam’s father and mother he lost at least 2 of his brothers.
Hallam, L. O. Private KIA 23/03/1916 and Hallam, John, Sargent KIA 13/11/1916.
CAPT. HALLAM, ONT. MAN, SLAIN IN ACTION
London Officer of the Second Division, Killed in Big Battle.
Special to the StarOttawa, Ont., Oct. 1 — The first on the roll of honor of the second Canadian division is Capt. E.W. Hallam, of the 18th Battalion, London. Capt. Hallam was killed in action last Wednesday. Capt. Hallam was formerly of the 7th Regiment, London.
The second division, which left for France two weeks ago, and which went into the trenches on Saturday last, has been in action. The first casualty list, in which the name of Capt. Hallam appears, is said to be a comparatively light one, not containing more than a dozen names. It is not believed that the division is taking part in the driving operations no on, but that the casualties have been sustained in a feint attack to divert the attention of the enemy from the front.
Lieut. S. Wharton of the 7th Battalion has been wounded. Lieut. Wharton is a British Columbia man, whose next of kin is in Plymouth, England.
Toronto Star for 1 October 1915.
Medical Officer of the 18th Battalion War Diary entry date of casualty:
Sept. 29: 7 am – Rather heavy bombardment from German guns.
8:30 am – Capt. Hallam shot through head + killed instantly while looking over broken parapet. [illegible] puncture! (Hallam, Ernest Walter, KIA. 32 years old. Grave Ref. I. C. 129. BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD)
1 pm – No. 53863 Pt. RC Taylor – [illegible medical notation] (Taylor, William Robert Charles)
Eighteenth Battalion.
Killed in action, Sept. 29: Capt. Ernest W. Hallam, London, Ontario.
Toronto Star Pages of the Past online 1915, Oct 14 p. 13
Had Served in Egypt.
London, Ont., Oct. 1. — Captain Ernest W. Hallam was about 33 years of age. He was married, but had not children. His wife is living with her mother in Hamilton. He had seen service in the Imperial army in Egypt, but came to Canada some years ago, residing first in Hamilton. Later he went to Port Arthur, where he was a member of the 91st Regiment. Prior to the war he came to London as Manager of the Continental Life Insurance Co., and joined the 7th Regiment as a Lieutenant. He had one brother killed earlier in the war. Another went to the front from England, and a third is a member of the 18th Battalion, in whose ranks Captain Hallam was fighting when he met his death.
The Globe Toronto Saturday October 2, 1915
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
Ernest Walter was one of 12 boys and a girl born to Frederick and Fanny Hallam. Besides the three brothers you have mentioned a fourth Norman Herbert Hallam was also killed in action. I believe that the other one mentioned in this newspaper article was Cyril who had also emigrated to Canada. I live in the village where this family came from and I am researching our church war memorial.
Thank you very much for this information. I will look into this.
Hallam is listed on the Dundas Street Centre United Church honour roll in London Ontario. I have a photo available.
If you could forward it to me I would appreciate it. ebd.edwards at gmail.com or submit it at the 18th Battalion Facebook page.
I would greatly appreciate a copy of this photo for my research if you could email it to me at chesterton548@btinternet.com that would be great. Thanks Lucille
John I gave you the incorrect email. ebd.edwards AT gmail.com Please send any images you have that are relevant. Thank you.