Walter Hilliam was the son of Charles Edward Hilliam and of Flora Hilliam (nee Green); husband of Margery Alfreda Hilliam, of Dargaville, New Zealand.

Second son of Mr & Mrs C.E. Hilliam, of Dargaville.

Prior to enlisting in the Second Echelon, he farmed on his father's property at Mount Wesley. For two years he served on the Holy Trinity Vestry.

In letters home he related a thrilling escape from Greece. He was member of a party which walked for ten days before commandeering an open boat. Spending ten days at sea without food or water, they were finally picked up by a friendly steamer.

"I remember Walter during the hey-day of Rugby on the Wairoa, from 1923 onwards," said a well known Northern Wairoa footballer. "He was quiet and unassuming but on the field full of energy and never let up. A man of fine physique in his younger days, he was a gentleman and a sport. Like a true New Zealander he played his best when a couple of tries had been scored against him. In Crete I am sure Wally was at his best when the odds were against him."

Next of kin details compiled from information in the Casualty lists published in the newspapers. AWMM