Claude Bilbie

Born in 1890, he was the son of William (d.1901) and Harriett (d.1899) Bilbie and the brother of Samuel and Harold Bilbie. In 1901, they boarded with on Turner Street, St Ann’s with Harry Cawthorne age 29 and his wife Mary Ann Cawthorne age 27. Mary Ann was probably the brothers' sister. Claude also had two more brothers, William (b.1862) and George. His next of next of kin were brothers William of 61, Coppice Road, Nottingham, and George of 16, Gladstone Street, Nottingham.

He was a carter prior to joining the Grenadier Guards on a short service engagement on 14th June 1910 (home service). He joined Nottinghamshire Constabulary as a police constable after transfer to the Army Reserve on 14th June 1913.

He enlisted at Nottingham.

Grenadier Guards service record: Short Service Engagement, enlisted and attested 14 June 1910 (Nottingham), joined 19 June 1910 (Caterham). Age at enlistment 20yrs 4m, occupation at time of enlistment, carter. Transferred to the Army Reserve on expiration of period of Army Service, 14 June 1913. Mobilized 5 August 1914, France 26 August 1914-24 September 1914. Wounded 14/16 September 1914. Home service 25 September 1914- August 1916 returning to France 28 August 1916. NOK notified of death on 18 August 1917. Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Nottingham Post obituary 11th August 1917 (abridged): 'BILBIE killed in action July 31st, Private Claude Bilbie, Grenadier Guards, of 19 Hartley Street, Lenton, late Coppice Road. Youngest brother of George Bilbie.' Nottingham Evening Post 20/4/1918: “POLICE CASUALTIES. “TWO NOTTS. CONSTABLES KILLED IN ACTION. “To a meeting of the Notts. Standing Joint Committee at the Shire Hall, Nottingham, to-day, [20th April 1918] Sir Ernest Paget presiding, the Chief Constable (Capt. W. H. Tomasson) reported that two constables of the County Police Force, namely, Claude Bilbie and Fredk. J. Hinchcliffe, had been killed in action: the former on July 31st, 1917, and the latter on March 25th of this year. Bilbie had been stationed at headquarters, and Hinchcliffe, who was the best man he had for a long time, at Mansfield. “The Committee joined with Capt. Tomasson in his expression of regret. “A further report from the Chief Constable intimated that of 272 persons apprehended during the last quarter, seven were discharged, 260 summarily disposed of, and five committed for trial. “Estimates for the repair and maintenance of the Shire Hall, judge's lodgings, and the country police stations, for the year, amounting to £930, were approved, and it was decided, in view of the increasing use of the Shire Hall rooms, to place a clock in the entrance lobby. “The salary of the clerk to the magistrates for the Nottingham division (Mr. O. E. Nash), was increased by £100, and the remuneration of the police-court missionary, who also attends other courts in the county, was fixed at £80 per annum.” Article courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918