Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Billson, a shoe trade rivetter, born 1837 in Enderby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 6th March 1836 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Enderby (son of Abraham Billson, 1789-1869 and Jane Storer, 1805-1876) and his wife Elizabeth Billson (nee Jacques, married on the 8th September 1864 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester), a hosiery trade mender, born in the January quarter of 1844 in Leicester (daughter of John Jacques, 1812 and Ann Merrey, 1814). John Edwin, a schoolboy, was born on the 2nd March 1883 in Leicester, his siblings were, Mary Ann, a confectioner’s assistant, born in the January quarter of 1876, Millicent Crawley, a schoolgirl, born in the October quarter of 1880, Richard, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1888 and Ada, a schoolgirl, born on the 27th March 1890, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 64, Guthlaxton Street, St. Peter’s, Leicester. In March 1901 John was employed as a shoe trade rivetter and was residing in the family home at 17, Brierley Street, St. Matthew’s, Leicester, together with his father, a shoe trade finisher, his mother and siblings, Millicent a shoe trade fitter, Richard, a baker and Ada. In April 1911 John was employed as a boot trade rivetter and was residing in the family home at Station Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire together with his wife Agnes Emma Billson (nee Johnson, married on the 4th June 1906 in St. Matthew’s Church, Leicester), a hosiery trade machinist, born on the 6th May 1884 in Leicester and baptised on the 2nd March 1885 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester (daughter of Fanny Johnson) and their daughter, Doris Frances, born on the 31st October 1906 in Leicester.
FAMILY NOTE: John also had the following siblings, Annie Maria, born on the 4th November 1866 and Kate, born in the July quarter of 1873, both siblings were born in Leicester.
John enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 20th September 1914 in Valcartier, and was allotted the service number 27702. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, Leicestershire, England, his date of birth as 2nd March 1883, his next of kin was given as Mrs. E. Billson, residing at c/o Mrs. Perkins, 602, Confederation Life Buildings, Toronto, Ontario, his trade or calling as watch case maker and his marital status as married.
He confirmed that he had previously served 2 years with 48th Highlanders.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 31 years 7 months, height 5-feet 6¾ inches, chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches his complexion was described as fair, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, mole in middle of abdomen. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. Date 7th September 1914. Place Valcartier.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Valcartier on the 7th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Leicester, Leicestershire, England, declared age as 31 years 7 months, trade or occupation as watch case maker, that he was 5-feet 6¾ inches in height, weighed [not recorded] lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches and his physical development was described as small. Marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease, nil. Enlisted at Valcartier on the 20th September 1914. Joined on enlistment 15th Battalion. Transferred to [not recorded].
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103) and various documents enclosed within his service record.
Embarked. From Quebec per S.S. Megantic. 4/10/14.
Promoted. Lance Corporal. In the Field. 13/4/15.
Missing in action. In the Field. 24-29/4/15.
For official purposes died. 24/4/15.
Circumstances of Casualty report: - “Previously reported Missing now officially reported Killed in Action.”
From information available, this non-commissioned officer was killed by enemy gas, but no further information is available concerning him as the Company to which he belonged, was forced to retire immediately, the enemy being within 100 yards.
Location of unit at time of casualty: - St. Julien.
Reported location of grave: - No record of burial.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John’s widow Agnes, of 10, Cross Keys Terrace, off Highcross Street, Leicester was awarded a War Service Gratuity of $180.00, paid on the 27th July 1920.
The War Diary records: 24 Apr-15 – Battalion Headquarters. Farm ARBRE. Enemy attacked our line of trenches. Attacked front line, advanced Headquarters and ST. JULIEN. Heavy casualties. Weather fine and warm.
On Tuesday April 25th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 3, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – BILLSON. – In loving memory of my dear husband, L.C. John Edwin Billson, 1st Canadian Contingent, who died at Hill 60, April 25th, 1915. They miss him most who loved him best. – From his loving Wife and Child.
And in the same edition under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – BILLSON. – In loving memory of Lance-C. J. E. Billson, who died from gas poisoning at the battle of St. Julian, on April 25th, 1915, 1st Canadian Contingent. Too dearly loved in life to be forgotten in death. – From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers.
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