Cephas Bilton was born on 9th January 1885 in Seacroft and was baptised on 7th February 1885 in Seacroft Parish Church.
The family were living in Manston. His parents were Christopher Charles B. and mother Martha Jane B.
In 1901, 16 year old Cephas was living with his family in Collingham where he was a groom. At this time his father was a gardener.
Cephas served as a Private (Rifleman) with “C” Coy. 8th Battalion .Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment – Leeds Rifles.
He died of his wounds on 7th August 1916 in No 11 Field Ambulance in France. and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Departement du Pas-de-Calais
Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Plot: VIII. B. 124.
Commonwealth Graves Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
His effects of £8.12s.4p went to his married sister Annie Elizabeth Ward as both his parents had died by this time. His mother had passed away in May of 1916 – only three months before Cephas died.
FAMILY DETAILS
Father – Christopher Charles B. Born 1849 in Burton Leonard.
Mother – Martha Jane B. Born 1850 in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Brother – Alexander C. B. Born 1872 Spellow Hill, Yorks.
Brother – William G B. born 1873 in Killinghall.
Sister – Annie Elizabeth B. Born 1875 in Breaton Bar.
Sister – Minnie Born 1881 in Seacroft.
In 1881 the family were living on Tadcaster Road,Seacroft.
Cephas Bilton Born 9th January 1885 in Seacroft.
On the 1891 census Mother Martha Jane is not shown as being at the address in York Road, Seacroft with his father but is listed as a nurse at the home in York Road, Seacroft of Thomas and Sarah Pickersgill. There may be several explanations for this.for example she may have been staying there just on the day of the census.
In 1901 Mother and Father and 16 year old Cephas were living in Collingham where Cephas was a groom.
Father Christopher was Buried in Garforth on 6th Jan 1911 aged 62.
On 1911 Census Martha was living with Son in Law John Hall Ward and Daughter Ann Elizabeth in Oxtoby Cottages Garforth. John Hall Ward was a hairdresser, Ann was assistant in business.
Also on 1911 census Cephas was listed as a farm labourer and living on a Farm in Harewood. This must have been quite a large farm as there were two servants and three farm labourers.
Mother Martha Jane was Buried in St Mary’s Graveyard, Garforth on 14th May 1916.