| Regimental number | 2856 |
| Place of birth | Laura, South Australia |
| School | Laura Public School, South Australia; Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Other training | Commercial College |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | 84 Frederick Street, Unley, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 8.5" |
| Weight | 138 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Harriett Bills, 84 Frederick Street, Unley, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served in the Cadets from 14 years of age., and in 74th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 50th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/67/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A19 Afric on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 50th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Bray, Somme Sector, France |
| Age at death | 24 |
| Place of burial | Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row G, Grave No 47), Bray-sur-Somme, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 150 |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 7 November 1916, and appointed Voyage Only Sergeant, at sea; disembarked Plymouth, England, 9 January 1917. Marched in to 13th Training Bn, Codford, 10 January 1917, and reverted to Private. Appointed EDP [Extra Duty Pay] Corporal, 11 January 1917. On Command at School of Musketry, Tidworth, 12 January 1917. On Command at NCOs' School, Kandahar, 13 February 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 9 May 1917; ,arched in to 4th Australian Devision Base Depot, Etaples, 10 May 1917, and reverted to Private. Taken on strength, 50th Bn, in the field, 13 May 1917. To attend No 5 Officer Cadet Bn, Cambridge, England, 5 July 1917; qualified, and appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 3 November 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 18 November 1917; taken on strength, 50th Bn, in the field, 26 November 1917. Accidentally injured (bayonet wound), 6 May 1918, and admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 4th Casualty Clearing Station, and thence to 10th Red Cross Hospital, Le Treport; discharged to Base Depot, Havre, 15 June 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 23 June 1918. Promoted Lieutenant, 14 May 1918. Killed in action, 11 August 1918. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BILLS Arthur Phillip |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
