BILSON, Alfred Osland
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 September 1915, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wangaratta, Victoria, 1 April 1890 |
| Home Town: | Tara, Western Downs, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Wesley College |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Struck by Motorcar, Prahran, Victoria, 22 May 1968, aged 78 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Tara Shire WW1 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, Toowoomba, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant | |
| 22 Feb 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major | |
| 24 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant | |
| 1 Sep 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 52nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Brisbane | |
| 24 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines | |
| 6 Jul 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Battle of Messines | |
| 16 May 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 13 Feb 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 50th Infantry Battalion, Rank of Temporary Captain. Promoted Honorary Captain 28 March 1919 | |
| 25 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, Officer, 50th Infantry Battalion, Queensland |
Military Cross Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in charge of a line of outposts they were blown in, and he skilfully withdrew his men to their position, when he reorganized them again and worked them forward later. He afterwards led his company with fine skill and judgement through an enemy barrage and got them into the front line, where he gained considerable ground by working to a flank. He displayed untiring energy in both of these operations.
Submitted 19 April 2016 by Nathan Rohrlach
Biography
Married Rose Bilson (nee Edis) in 1926. They had two children together.
Also had a brother, David Leslie Bilson (/explore/people/104907) that served during World War One and was killed at Messines.
Biography contributed by Modbury High School
Captain Alfred Osland Bilson was born in Wangaratta, Victoria on the 1st of April 1890, his hometown was Tara, Western Downs, Queensland, Australia. Alfred was educated in a school named Wesley College and was working as a farmer before he enlisted for World War 1.
Alfred enlisted on 15th September 1916 in Toowoomba, Queensland, he embarked in Brisbane, Queensland on HMAT Marathon A74 on 27th October 1916. His last rank during the war was Captain and his last unit was the 50th Infantry Battalion.
Alfred’s bravery and leadership were recognized, earning him several prestigious awards. He received the Military Cross for his courageous actions, along with the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. His exceptional service was further acknowledged with his appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He is remembered at the Virtual War Memorial website, Australian War Memorial and Tara Shire WW1 Roll of Honour.
During his military service, Alfred served in several key battles of World War I, including the Gallipoli Campaign. Despite restrictions on Aboriginal Australians enlisting, Bilson was among the approximately 1,000 Indigenous Australians who served in the war.
Alfred was injured on the Western Front, in September 1916, during the Somme Battle. He got hit by a gunshot to his right knee. The injury was significant enough to be recorded in his service records, leading to his discharge from active duty due to being medically unfit for further service.
After the war, Alfred returned to Australia on 15th May 1919 to his civilian life, continuing his work as a farmer. He settled in Tara, Western Downs, Queensland. He married Rose Bilson (nee Edis) in 1926. They had two children together.
Alfred’s family had a significant military connection. His brother, David Leslie Bilson, served in the 52nd Battalion and was killed in action on the Messines Ridge on 9th June 1917 (before the war ended), Alfred‘s next of kin was his father who was named James Alfred Bilson.
Alfred died after being struck by a motorcar, 22nd May 1968, he died at the age of 78. Alfred was buried in a cemetery in Springvale Botanical.
Alfred’s life and service are remembered for his bravery, dedication, and the significant impact he made during the war. He received many awards and commendations that reflect his exceptional contribution to the war effort and his lasting legacy in Australian military history.
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