Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Adanac Military Cemetery | IV. E. 27. Miraumont | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.116 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 14D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Mentioned in Despatches | ||
Family :
Son of Edward Stanton Bilton and Susanna Bilton. B.A. Cambridge. Barrister-at Law. Native of Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 2/5 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
2/5th Battalion Formed at Doncaster on 10 September 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/4th Bn. 1 March 1915 : moved to Bulwell and attached to 187th Brigade in 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. Moved in April 1915 to Strenshall and on in May to Beverley, going on in November to Gareshead, January 1916 to Larkhill and June 1916 to Flixton Park near Bungay. Moved again in October 1916 to Wellingborough. Landed at Le Havre on 15 January 1917. 2 February 1918 : absorbed into 1/5th Bn |
| Action : German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line |
The German Army realised that shortening the front line by retiring to better prepared positions would reduce the demand for manpower and offer better defensive capabilities. Accordingly the German engineers constructed what the British referered to as The Hindenburg Line in the sector of the Western Front largely behind (to the East of) the 1916 Somme battlefield. The retreat was done in stages. The official dates covering this period are 14 March to 5 April 1917.
Detail :
possible listing as a member of the Inner Temple: E. B. BILTON, Highland Cyclist Bn., 2 Lieutenant BILTON, Capt. Edward Barnard , Mentioned in Despatches. 1st/1st Highland Cyclist Bn. Attd. 2nd/5th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in action 15th March 1917 aged 29. B.A. Cambridge. Barrister-at-Law. BILTON, EDWARD BARNARD, Capt.. 1/lst Tlie Highland Cyclist Battn,(T.F.). attd. 2/5 The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Elder son of the late Edward Stanton Bilton, Born Bonwell, Nortlmmberland. 18 June, 1887 ; educated Charterhouse, and Clare College. Cambridge ; was a barrister & member of the Inner Temple Commissioned as 2nd Lieut, in the Highland Cvclist Battn. 14 Nov. 1914; was promoted Lieut. 31 March. 1915, and Capt. 16/June 1916. when he was attached to the 2/5 The King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry and served at the Battn. HQ as Intlligence Officer ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Jan 1917 and was killed in action near Albert 15 March following, while making a recconnaissance towards the enemy during an advance. His Commanding Officer wrote : He was my Intelligence Ollicer, and did extraordinarily good work all the time, and will be quite impossible to replace. We, both officers and men. were devoted to him. He died a hero's death; none in the war have done more. He is a fine example to us all. A brother officer wrote He was a very valuable officer. He acted with splendid courage and judgment in our last operation. He was on duty in a dangerous situation for 30 hours, was slightly wounded but carried on undaunted, and gave us very valuable information, saving many lives . He was mentioned in despatches [London Gazette 25 May, 1917] by GeneralSir Douglas Haig. for gallant and distinguished service in the field.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Isaac Newton University No. 859 E.C. | Cambridgeshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
29th October 1912 | 26th November 1912 | - |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley