BILLS, Bert Woodhouse

Bert Bills was born in Cradley and was the son of David and Sarah Bills of 4 Banners Lane, Overend. He attended Cradley C of E School and joined the 1/7th Worcesters who fought on the Somme in 1916. He was transferred to the 4th Battalion in 1917 who not inly fought in the Battles of Arras in the April but then fought in major battles during the Third Battle of Ypres. They were at Langemarck on the 16th August and in October they were closely engaged in the advance on Passchendaele. The battle of Poelcapelle began on the 9th when. Sergeant George Dancox was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery but Private Bert Bills was killed in action. He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Cradley, Halesowen and Cradley C of E School Memorials.