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Benjamin Bilboe, 1946 - 1947 Benjamin Bilboe was born on 3rd May 1902 at Ironbridge, Shropshire. His family later moved into one of the canal-side slums in Bradley, near Bilston, where he was educated at the nearby St Martin's School. He regularly played truant, having a greater interest in canal boats than schoolwork. Although still at school when war broke out in 1914, he lied about his age and enlisted. He joined the Welsh Fusiliers and was posted to Ireland shortly after the Easter Rising in 1915. He married Miss Kelsey of Snapes Bank and Batmans Hill, Bradley whilst home on leave, and shortly afterwards was posted to India. Being denied compassionate leave on receiving news that he was to be a father, he deserted the regiment and travelled across India to the nearest port, where he boarded a ship and worked as a stoker. He eventually reached home via Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco and Panama, where he gave himself up to the military authorities. He was granted an honourable discharge. He obtained various short-term employment positions including debt collector, rent collector and a friendly society agent. In 1929 he became Secretary for the Bilston branch of the National Unemployment Workers Movement (NUWM). On the 25th September 1933 he spoke at a demonstration during an election rally as a candidate for the New Town Ward of Bilston. At the following court apearance he admitted he was a person 'likely to persist in inciting others to a breach of the peace'. Following a non-appearance at court he was arrested and served time at Winson Green Prison, and whilst there he was elected to Bilston Borough Council. He was later an alderman and became Mayor in 1946. He died suddenly in September 1951, aged forty-nine. Smallshire,
JL 1986: Pioneering in Black Country Local Government 1850-1950.
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