William Bilbie
- Family History
- Military History
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William was the second son of William Waplington and Rosina Bilbie (née Barrow). His father, William Bilbie Waplington, was born in Radford, Nottingham, in 1862, the son of Harriet Waplington and William Bilbie. His parents were married in 1864 and their son's name was recorded on subsequent documents as William Waplington Bilbie. His mother Rosina was born in Nottingham in 1860, the daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Waplington (née Cobb). William and Rosina were married at Lenton St Anthony in June 1883 and they had six children: Mabel b. 1883 d. 1910, Archie birth registered 1886 (J/F/M) d. 1906, Lottie b. 1888, William b. 1889, George Ernest b. 1 June 1891 bap. 'Harry' Nottingham St Ann 29 August 1891 and Samuel birth registered 1895 (J/F/M). William, a butcher, Rosina and their four children, Mabel, Archie, Lottie and William, were living at Alfred Terrace, Nottingham, in 1891. Rosina died eight years later in 1899 (reg. O/N/D), leaving her husband with six children between the ages of four and sixteen. In 1901 William was living at 60 Abbotsford Street, Nottingham. His eldest daughter Mabel was housekeeper for the family, Archie was a hosiery stamper, Lottie a machinist and William, George Ernest (Harry), and Samuel were school age. William had moved to 61 Coppice Road (now Ransom Road), Nottingham, by 1906 when his eldest son, Archie, died at home on 14 January 1906 aged 20. William married Annie Cooper (b. abt 1868 Calais, France) later that year (reg. J/A/S). His eldest daughter Mabel died aged 27 in 1910. The family home was still at 61 Coppice Road in 1911 but only William's three surviving sons were in the home on the night of the census: William a grocer's shop assistant, George a butcher's shop assistant and Samuel, a hairdresser's assistant. Lottie, a lace jennier, was living with her maternal uncle Frank Barrow and his wife Mary at 10 Boswell Street, Radford. George married Mary E Gandy in 1913 and they had two sons, William H. and Samuel Albert. Mary remarried after George was killed in action in 1916. Lottie married Alfred Hind in 1914 and they had two daughters. William emigrated to Canada before the war where he married Ruby May Carter. They had one child who was born after William had been posted overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. William and Ruby lived at 149 Wheeler Avenue, Kew Beach, Toronto, Ontario. However, when William attested in January 1916 he named his father William of 385 St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham, as his next of kin, suggesting that he married after this date. William snr. died in October 1923.
Private William Bilbie enlisted on 24th January 1916 at Toronto, Canada; he lived at 6 Soho Street, Toronto. William gave his date of birth as 1st May 1889 (26y 7m), he was unmarried and employed as a butcher. Religion Methodist. He named his father, William Waplington Bilbie, of 385 St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham, as his next of kin. However, William married before he was posted overseas. William served with 20th Battalion Canadian Infantry and was killed in action on 9th August 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. CWGC - History of Vimy Memorial (extract): The Memorial overlooks the Douai Plain; it is about 8km from the town of Arras. 'On the opening day of the Battle of Arras, 9 April 1917, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting side by side for the first time, scored a huge tactical victory in the capture of the 60 metre high Vimy Ridge. After the war, the highest point of the ridge was chosen as the site of the great memorial to all Canadians who served their country in battle during the First World War, and particularly to the 60,000 who gave their lives in France. It also bears the names of 11,000 Canadian servicemen who died in France - many of them in the fight for Vimy Ridge - who have no known grave.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths,’ 16/17/18 January 1906: ‘Bilbie. On the 15th inst., at 61, Coppice-road, Archie, the dearly beloved son of William Bilbin, aged 20 years. Highly respected, deeply lamented. Funeral General Cemetery, top end, Friday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Two of William's brothers also served in the war: George Ernest Bilbie enlisted at Beeston and served with the 11th battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed in action on 21st October 1916 and is buried in Mill Road, Cemetery, Thiepval, France. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Samuel Bilbie enlisted on 14th March 1915 at Nottingham. Samuel was 20 yrs of age, a hairdresser and lived at 385 St Anns Well Road, Nottingham. His next of kin was his father William of the same address. Samuel served with the 188th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and was in France from 1916 to 1918. He was wounded in action (gun shot wound to the hand) on 8th October 1918. He was discharged from the Army on 9th March 1919. Their father's youngest brother, Claude Bilbie (b. 1890) served in the 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards (14806 Private) and was killed in action in France on 31 July 1917. Their father's nephew, Robert Thrale, the son Robert and Elizabeth Thrale (née Bilbie), served in the 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (2025 Corporal) and was killed in action on 1 July 1916. Elizabeth's brother-in-law, Henry Thrale, served with the Canadian Infantry (670185 Private) and was killed in action on 17 August 1917. (See records on this Roll of Honour). CWGC Additional information: 'Son of William Bilbie, of Nottingham, England; husband of Ruby M. Carter, of 149, Wheeler Avenue, Kew Beach, Toronto, Ontario.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam,’ 21 October 1918: ‘Bilbie. In loving memory of Pte George Ernest (Harry) Bilbie, killed in action October 21st, 1916; also his brother, Sergt. (sic) William, Canadians, killed in action August 9th, 1917. Resting with the brave. From their sorrowing dad, ma, sister Lottie, brother Sam (in France.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
