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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 388

‘Pte. John Bilsborough (21), Seaforth Highlanders was killed in action on March 22nd. Deceased joined in September, 1914, and was drafted to the Front in September, 1915. He has been wounded three times previously:- On November 23rd, 1915, on November 21st, 1916, and at Arras April 9th, 1917.’

(Lancaster Guardian, 20 April 1918, refers)

Three: Private J. Bilsborough, 6th (Morayshire) Seaforth Highlanders who was killed in action during his Battalion’s tenacious defence of the frontline during the German Spring Offensive on 22 March 1918

1914-15 Star (S-3535 Pte J. Bilsborough. Sea: Highrs); British War and Victory Medals (S-3535 Pte. J. Bilsborough. Seaforth.), slight contact wear overall, very fine (3)

John Bilsborough was born in 1896 though a native of Perth though he soon moved to Lancaster, being educated at Bowerham Council School. Bilsborough went to work at the Lune Mills, a pair of Cotton Mills by the Lune River in Lancaster. However on the outbreak of the Great War he swiftly enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders, being first posted to the 8th Battalion.

Bilsborough entered the war in France on 9 July 1915 and though by November 1916 he has transferred to the 6th (Morayshire) Battalion with the service number 267378. Seriously wounded in the back he was treated for a gunshot wound on 15 November 1916 at No. 2 General Hospital.

Present for the Battle of Arras he was again wounded, this time in the back, by shrapnel. Stationed in the trenches upon the launch of the German Spring Offensive the Battalion faced a gas attack followed by a heavy infantry assault on 21 March. They came again on 22 March, attacked at 10:00 down the Cambrai Road and making headway against the Battalions trenches before being driven off by counter-attacks.

They continued to attack all day, pushing the units to their flanks back and keeping a heavy pressure on them. By the end of the day the Seaforths were still in place but under heavy fire on both flanks from German unit infiltrating around them. This situation would become so bad that by the next morning they would be forced to withdraw. Bilsborough however was not there to see the withdrawal having being killed in action during the savage fighting the day before.

He is commemorated upon the Arras Memorial; sold together with a copied newspaper article, medal rolls and Commonwealth War Graves certificate.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£60