BORN UPPINGHAM, RUTLAND 1876. SON OF DANIEL BILSDON (1844-1918) AND EMMA SCULTHORPE (1847-1936). A LABOURER. HE MARRIED HONOR WALLER (1871-1961), IN LEICESTER, ON 09/11/1904. THEY HAD FOUR CHILDREN JOHN, RICHARD, ERNEST AND NORA). THEY LIVED AT LOWER HILL, HESSLE (ARMY ADDRESS). HE ENLISTED IN HULL ON 14/09/1914, AGED 34 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS. DESCRIBED AS 5 FOOT, 6 INCHES TALL, 36 INCH CHEST, 127 LBS WEIGHT, BLUE EYES, BROWN HAIR, CHURCH OF ENGLAND RELIGION.
HE SERVED AS GUNNER, 61, ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY, HULL HEAVY BATTERY. LEFT DEVONPORT, ON 07/02/1916. ARRIVED AT KILINDINI, ON 16/03/1916. SERVED IN EAST AFRICA. ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL WITH DYSENTERY, ON 01/05/1916. DIED OF MALARIA, ON 02/06/1916, AGED 40. HE IS BURIED AT VOI CEMETERY, KENYA (GRAVE NO:47). HIS NAME IS RECORDED ON THE HESSLE ROLL OF HONOUR, ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH.
