| With the freedom of her first bicycle, in the early 1950's a small girl roamed the lanes and back-roads of the English countryside, stopping to gaze in wonderment at every new thing she saw. The different surfaces of the roads, the grass and hedgerows, the birds in the trees, houses, gardens, cars, lorries, horses pulling carts, walls, fences, the wild flowers, and even the dust and rubbish came under her inspection.
Peddling homewards she came to a long white wall which led to an entrance path without any gates. Putting her foot to the ground she leaned forward and peered in - to see, set in the grass, rows of headstones, and on the wall written 'Cemetery'. As she turned to ride away, a voice called out "Aren't you coming in, then?". An old man was looking at her over the wall. "I don't know anyone in there", she replied. "Oh yes you do, there are people in here thought a lot about you." "They can't have done, they didn't know me." "You come in then, you and your new bicycle, and I'll show you." Curious, and cautious, the little girl entered the cemetery, but kept her distance. Walking in front the old man led her to the back of the cemetery where there were rows of closely-set small stones. "Can you read?" "Of course I can", came the somewhat impolite reply. "Then you look down here and tell me how old they were", and the little girl looked and read, 18, 19, 18, 22, 19, 24, 20, 18, 25, 21... and then stood still, very quiet. "Now, what do you think of that?" At last she said, "Were they in the war?" "Yes, they were." Another pause, then "They weren't very old." "No, they weren't, but they'll be a long time here. Now, will you promise me something?" "What is it?" "Will you promise me that every time you come to a cemetery for people who died in the war, you'll go in and spend a few minutes with them, and promise me never to forget that they gave all their life to you - so that you could ride your bike wherever you wanted." The little girl stood where she was and thought about that, then she said "I promise", and added "I always keep my promises" and looked up at the old man, as though worried he might doubt her. He smiled and said, "Right, then. Off you go now, and don't be late home". However, she didn't move, but went on looking at all those small white stones, suddely she stooped down and said "thank-you-for-my-bicycle" - and walked quickly back to the entrance, then rode away hard. _______________
I was that little girl so fecklessly sailing the wind on my not-really-so-new repainted pea-green bicycle. I have never forgotten, although I doubt I have kept my promise as well as I could, so, please, when you build your family tree, do not forget but seek them out - and give them an honoured place. (Caroline) |
Existing and Putative Correlations
to the list of Tilbury casualties from the Great War (1914-1918)
Existing = links Putative = BMD
| Name | Died On | Age |
| A. Tilbury
Captain, Royal Field Artillery |
08/06/1917 | [--] |
| A.G.E. Tilbury
?(Births Mar 1893 Tilbury Alfred George E Droxford 2c/131)? ?(Son of Alfred Tilbury b. Bps Wlth and Selena [Copp], both of Westbourne Sussex)? |
07/10/1916 | [23] |
| From another website:
Pte. Alan Tilbury, Somerset Light Infantry b. Croydon Surrey |
||
| Alan Tilbury
Births Dec 1881 Tilbury Alan Andover 2c/217 Son of the late William Tilbury, of Chilbolton, Hants. and Catherine Husband of Grace A. Tilbury, of 50, Willow Vale, Shepherd's Bush, London See Lionel below |
04/10/1917 | 36 |
| Albert Tilbury
Private G/96854, Middlesex Regiment |
24/04/1918 | [--] |
| Albert John Tilbury
Births (Puttenham) Dec 1899 Tilbury Albert John Guildford 2a/87 Son of Mr. W[illiam] (b. Churt) and Mrs. A[nne] Tilbury, of The Reeds, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey Brother of Harrey and Cecil |
08/08/1918 | 19 |
| Alfred George Tilbury
Births Mar 1894 Tilbury Alfred George Wycombe 3a/703 Son of Mr. A. Tilbury, of Jubilee Cottage, Naphill, High Wycombe |
27/04/1917 | [23] |
| Archibald Tilbury
Births Sep 1893 Tilbury Archibald Clifford Edmonton 3a/326 1901: Archibald Tilbury age 14 b. Bucks Wooburn Green l. Berkshire, Cow Boy Cattle Births Jun 1903 Tilbury Archibald George Wycombe 3a/928 |
25/02/1915 | [--] |
| Arthur Tilbury
Son of John and Anna Arthur was on board the 'Transylvania' when she was torpedoed, as was another Tilbury: Harry. For further details visit this link: Links Page: 'Charles Tilbury m. Ellen Hawes' |
04/05/1917 | [--] |
| Arthur Eldred Floyd Tilbury
Births Mar 1897 Tilbury Arthur Eldred F Wycombe 3a/765 |
28/10/1916 | [19] |
| Arthur William Tilbury
b. Meonstoke, Hampshire 14th August 1889 (Droxford 2c/134a); Son of James Tilbury, (Journeyman Baker) & Margaret Eliza Maria [Holmes] , of "Hillside", Meonstoke Links Page: 'The Thin Blue Line' |
14/06/1916 | 26 |
| Celestine James Tilbury
b. 1888 1st qtr Portsea 2b/433, Hampshire Son of Harry Tilbury and Catherine [Ford] Twin brother of Charles Tilbury Links Page: 'http://www.tilburyweb.com' |
31/05/1916 | [28] |
| Charles William Tilbury
Births Jun 1896 Tilbury Charles William W. Brentford 3a/75 ?(Son of Charles Tilbury and Alice of Teddington)? |
15/04/1917 | [20] |
| Claud Tilbury
Births Mar 1889 Tilbury Claude St Alban's 3a/543 Son of George and Mary Tilbury Husband of Ethel Tilbury, of Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, Herts. Brother of Henry, Ellen, George and Rose |
26/08/1916 | 27 |
| David Tilbury
A David Tilbury is listed on 'De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour', which may give biographical details Births Mar 1874 Tilbury David Elham 2a/912 Son of David (b. Catherington, occ. Thatcher) and Sarah Tilbury, of Anthill, Denmead Husband of Sarah Ann Tilbury, of Anthill Common, Denmead, Hants. (m. Sep qtr 1898 Jeffs Sarah Ann Wandsworth 1d/1043) Brother of Louisa, John and Reuben |
22/09/1914 | 40 |
| Edward Charles Tilbury
Births Mar 1891 Tilbury Edward Charles S. Stoneham 2c/55 |
25/02/1917 | [26] |
| Frank Edgar Tilbury
Frank Edgar Tilbury (b.1895; d.1915) Son of Esther R. Tilbury, of 23, Addison Rd., Walthamstow, London, and the late Frank Y. Tilbury. Links Page: 'The Tailoring Tilburys Part I' |
09/05/1915 | 19 |
| Frederick Tilbury
Son of James Tilbury and Jane Elizabeth [Wheatley] (m. Sep qtr 1867 Wokingham 2c/678), of Swallowfield Husband of Jessie Overton Tilbury, of Odiham Rd., Swallowfield, Berks. Brother of Mary J., William, Arthur, Sarah Ann and Louie |
11/04/1917 | 29 |
| G. Tilbury
Private 7034, King's Own Scottish Borderers |
05/05/1917 | [--] |
| George Tilbury
Private 9297, Royal Fusiliers Husband of Emily (Creed), father of Emily and Laura; grandson of George and Louisa (Walker) Lived in Nottinghill, descendants in USA |
15/09/1916 | [27] |
| Harry Tilbury
b. c. 1878, in Great Marlow Son of Charles Tilbury, of Seymour Court Cottages, Marlow, Bucks. Husband of Annie Preece (formerly Tilbury), of The Cottage, Huntercombe, Henley-on-Thames Links Page: 'Charles Tilbury m. Ellen Hawes' |
04/05/1917 | 35 |
| Henry Alexander Philby Tilbury
Births Mar 1889 Tilbury Henry Alexander P. Brentford 3a/137 Son of Mr. H. W. P. and Mrs. A. P. Tilbury, of 10, Aylett Rd., South Norwood, London Links Page: 'Langdon-Goff family site' |
21/05/1916 | 27 |
| Henry Pike Tilbury
Births Mar 1876 Tilbury Henry Pike Bethnal Green 1c222 Son of Henry and Jane Tilbury, of Bethnal Green Husband of Elizabeth Ada Tilbury, of 3, New Tysson St., Bethnal Green Rd., London Links Page: 'Henry Tilbury from Bethnal Green' |
24/11/1917 | 41 |
| Herbert Walter Tilbury
Second Lieutenant, Lincolnshire Regiment Son of Mr. W. G. Tilbury, of 63, Victoria R South, Southsea, Hants. Native of Portsmouth |
05/09/1918 | 21 |
| J. Tilbury
Private 33795, Border Regiment Son of Mrs F. Connor, of 9, Hogarth Lane, Chiswick, London |
21/05/1917 | 27 |
| J.A. Tilbury
Driver 15544, East African Railways |
27/11/1917 | [--] |
| J.A. Tilbury
James Alexander Tilbury (b.1877; d.1917) Son of Mr. and Mrs. Tilbury, of 35, Patroit Square, Bethnal Green Husband of Mrs. Daisy Tilbury, of 408, Corfield St., Bethnal Green, London Links Page: 'The Tailoring Tilburys Part I' |
18/05/1917 | 36 |
| J.H. Tilbury
Rifleman 392806, London Regt (Queen Victoria's Rifles) |
31/08/1918 | [--] |
| J[ohn] R[ichard] Tilbury
b. 1887 Jun qtr Tilbury John Richard Wycombe 3a/680 Brother of William, George & Mary Son of Esau Tilbury & Eliza [Bristow] of Great Kingshill, High Wycombe, Bucks. Grandson of Charles Tilbury & Latitia [Frith] Links Page: 'http://www.chiltonfamily.freeserve.co.uk' |
04/10/1914 | 27 |
| J.S. Tilbury
1886 2nd qtr Tilbury John Senner K. Poplar 1c/638 1861 2nd qtr Tilbury John Southey Truro 5c/197 1892 1st qtr Tilbury John Stanislas Salford (3)d/10(3?) | 07/10/1916 | [--] |
| James Tilbury
1901: James Tilbury age 17 b. Bucks High Wycombe l. South Bucks High Wycombe Upholsterer age 17 b. Hants Bps Waltham l. Hants Bps Waltham Butcher age 18 b. Lancs Lancaster l. Lancaster Audenshaw Sewing Machine Fitter age 18 b. Oxbridge Middlesex l. Lancaster Soldier R F Artillery |
04/06/1917 | 34 |
| James William Percy Tilbury
(b. 1889 4th qtr Wycombe 3a/647) Son of William Tilbury and Mary Anne [Ball] of High Wycombe Grandson of John Tilbury and Sarah [Cox] of High Wycombe |
12/10/1917 | [28] |
| Jesse Tilbury
?(b. 1883 3rd qtr Tilbury Jesse Edward Winchester 2c/110)? |
15/09/1916 | [33] |
| John Edgar Tilbury
Driver 945547, Royal Field Artillery Son of Alice Tilbury of 28, Warwick R. Twickenham, and the late Charles Tilbury |
07/02/1919 | 20 |
| L.E. Tilbury
Lance Corporal 202013, Northumberland Fusiliers ?(1879 3rd qtr Tilbury Leonard Ernest b. Guildford 2a/82)? |
11/08/1918 | [--] |
| Lawrence Albert Tilbury
Private PO/16560, Royal Marine Light Infantry 'HMS Black Prince' [b. Sep 1896 qtr Tilbury Lawrence Albert (Alverstoke 2b/539)] |
31/05/1916 | [19] |
| Lionel Tilbury
b. 1878 3rd qtr Tilbury Lionel Andover 2c/222 Son of William and Catherine Tilbury, of Church Farm, Chilbolton, Southampton Husband of Florence Rosina Tilbury, of 28, Stanford Way, Norbury, London |
16/12/1916 | 38 |
| Marcus Edward Tilbury
b: 1874 at Balmain, NSW Son of James Thompson Tilbury and Esther Tilbury, of Sydney Husband of Maria Theresa Tilbury, of 8, Karori Flats, Elizabeth Bay Rd., Sydney, Australia Links Page: 'http://www.arext.plus.com' |
12/10/1920 | 45 |
| P. Tilbury
Private 1393, Manchester Regiment |
12/07/1915 | [--] |
| Richard Tilbury
b. 1888 4th qtr Tilbury Richard Wycombe 3a/657 Son of James Tilbury, of Penfold Lane, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, Bucks. |
17/05/1915 | 26 |
| Richard William Tilbury
b. 1886 4th qtr Tilbury Richard William Marylebone 1a/559 Husband of Hilda Tilbury, of 22, Dial St., Burnley |
11/12/1918 | 32 |
| Robert William Tilbury
b. 1891 4th qtr Tilbury Robert William Portsea 2b/5(00?) Son of Walter George Tilbury, of 63, Victoria R South, Southsea, Hants. |
18/03/1918 | 26 |
| S. Tilbury
Lance Corporal 33277, Hampshire Regiment |
21/03/1918 | [--] |
| Sidney Tilbury
Rifleman S/13402, Rifle Brigade |
18/08/1916 | [--] |
| W. Tilbury
Private 31668, Essex Regiment Son of William Tilbury, of "Falaise," Alton Park Rd., Alton, Hants. Born at Gosport |
10/10/1916 | 28 |
| W.E. Tilbury
2nd Corporal 518628, Royal Engineers |
20/03/1918 | [--] |
| W.J. Tilbury
Serjeant 42046, East Surrey Regiment Son of John and Elizabeth Tilbury Husband of Catherine Mary Tilbury, of 5, Brackley Rd., Buckingham Born at Burnham, Bucks. Another website lists: Sgt. William John TILBURY, Somerset Light Infantry; b. Burnham, Bucks. |
28/08/1918 | 39 |
| Wilfrid Tilbury
b. 1892 1st qtr Tilbury Wilfrid Jesse Alton 2a/159 Probably a son of Richard & Sarah Annie of Headley Links Page: 'Belton - Tilbury' |
05/06/1916 | [24] |
| William George Tilbury
In 1917: Corporal 30336, 14 (Service) Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment Remembered on Kettering War Memorial (http://maskew.users.btopenworld.com/index.htm) Was previously a member of the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions ('gaspipe cavalry') (visit http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Regiments/HuntsCyclistBattalion.html and http://www.huntscycles.co.uk/In%20Memory%20T%20-%20Z.htm) |
26/10/1917 | [--] |
| William George Tilbury
Serjeant 7776, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Husband of Lilian May Tilbury, of "Selborne", Baring Rd., Beaconsfield, Bucks. |
15/10/1915 | 30 |
| William James Tilbury
b. 1883 4th qtr Tilbury William James Fulham 1a/214 Second son of Robert Tilbury and Lydia [Rutherford] of 6, Faroe Rd. Hammersmith, London UK Site Map: 'Tilbury - Lydia, Robert and their Tilbury family' [My great uncle - Caroline] |
27/03/1918 | [34] |
| William Penton Arnold Tilbury
Private 241136, East Surrey Regiment Son of the late William Henry Tilbury and Eliza [Arnold], of 4, Oxford Villas, New Rd., Weybridge, Surrey | 01/11/1918 | 22 |
| Clive William Tilbury
Private 2005, Australian Infantry Son of James Thompson Tilbury and Esther Tilbury Native of Sydney See Marcus Edward above |
08/08/1915 | 30 |
| George Vernon Tilbury
Private 1789, Australian Infantry Son of David and Annie Tilbury, of Thorndean, Hants. England Links Page: 'William Tilbury m. Elizabeth Bone' |
30/07/1916 | 19 |
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