Arthur Billson
He was a printer.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Arthur Billson was born in 1897 at Nottingham, he was baptised on 22nd August 1901 at St Albans Church, Sneinton he was the son of Albert a house painter and Emma Billson née Talbot and the brother of Ernest, Clarice, Maude and Edith Billson.
His father was born in 1865 at Nottingham, his mother Emma Talbot was born in 1869 at Nottingham, they were married on 24th March 1888 at St Marys Church, Nottingham, they had 5 children.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 23 Little John Street Nottingham Albert 46 yrs is a house painter, he is living with his wife Emma 42 yrs and their children, Ernest 22 yrs a house painter, Clarice 18 yrs a sewing machinis, Artur 14 yrs a painter, Maude 10 yrs and Edith 7 yrs of age.
Private Arthur Billson enlisted at Nottingham, he served wit the 1/7th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He was killed in action, on 1st July 1916, in the attack on the German positions at Gommecourt, France, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.He is buried in Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevillers (grave ref. II.E.28).
Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 25 June 1917: 'BILLSON Missing July 1st 1916 now killed, Private Arthur Billson, Sherwood Foresters, age 19. Father, mother, brother, sisters.'
Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 28 June 1917: 'Private A Billson (Sherwood Foresters), 23 Little John Street, Nottingham, missing July 1st now reported killed, age 19.'
Nottingham St Mary parish register, p494 (1917): '23 Little John Street. BILLSON Alf. Ernest Billson in army, Arthur killed July 1916.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. PR,6786)
Additional research and information Peter Gillings
Arthur Billson
Headstone in Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevillers.
Courtesy of Dennis Weston
Photo of Arthur Billson
billson_arthur_photo courtesy of the Sherwood Forestes Regiment roll of honour website.