Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Billings a Lime Quarryman, born 1857 in Yelvertoft, Northants., and his wife Mary Ann, born 1856 in Wigston, Leics. John was born in 1880 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics., his siblings were, Rebecca Elizabeth, born 1883, Albert, born, 1885, Thomas, born 1888 and Mary Ann, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Barrow upon Soar, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at North Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity. In March 1901 John was employed as a Lime Stone Miner and was residing in the family home at North Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leics., together with his parents, and siblings, Rebecca, Albert, Thomas, Mary, Alice, born 1892, Betsy, born 1895, Julia, born 1897 and Charlotte, born 1899, the latter four siblings were all born in Barrow upon Soar, Leics. In April 1911 John was employed as a Labourer and was residing in the family home at Church Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leics., together with his wife Sarah Billing (nee Platt), whom he married on the 25th December 1906, and was a Hosiery Winder, born 1882 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics., and their two children Cyril, born 1908 and George, born 1910, both children were born in Barrow upon Soar, Leics. They later had two further children Alice and Annie. John was baptised on the 2nd March 1881 at Barrow upon Soar, Leics. On Friday July 20th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – BARROW ON SOAR. LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED.- Mrs J. Billings of New Brighton, Barrow on Soar, has received official information that her husband, Pte. Jack Billings, of the Lincoln’s, was killed in action on July 1st. Pte. Billings, who was 37 years of age leaves a widow and four children. In his younger days Jack was a popular local footballer. His brother Albert, of the Leicester’s was killed a few months back. On Friday August 10th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – BARROW ON SOAR. TWO BROTHERS KILLED IN ACTION.- A muffled peal was rung on the church bells on Thursday night, to the memory of Pte’s. John and Albert Billings, brothers killed in action.