Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Jesse Billett a Farmer, born 1865 in North Wraxall, Wilts and his wife Dora Jane, born 1869 in Marshfield, Glos. Jesse Frank Tavener was born in 1894 in North Wraxall, Wilts., his siblings were Daniel, born 1873, Dora Elizabeth, born 1896, Isaac Charles, born 1898 and Eric James, born 1901, all his siblings were born in North Wraxall, Wilts., also residing with the family was his maternal aunt Sarah Tavener, born 1887 in Marshfield, Glos., in March 1901 the family home was at Hall’s Farm, North Wraxall, Wilts, in the Ecclesiastical Parish of North Wraxall, St. James. In April 1911 Jesse was employed as a Farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Kelston, near Bath, Somerset together with his parents and siblings, Isaac, Eric and Ivy Eileen May, born 1907 in Yate, Glos.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday November 9th, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

News has been received that Private Jesse Frank Billett, of the Leicesters, died of wounds in a military hospital in France, on October 8th. Deceased, who was 23 years of age, had been in France for 16 months. For four years before joining the army he was a shunter on the Midland Railway at Coalville. His parents, Mr and Mrs Jesse Billett, reside at 46, Hungerford Road, Lowest Weston, near Bath. Writing to them an officer says, “It is with very sincere regret that I have to inform you of the death from gas poisoning of your son. He was with several others in a roughly-dug trench when a gas shell fell close by, causing fatal poisoning before his gasmask could be adjusted. I was not with my platoon at the time, but having known him for nearly twelve months, I feel I must offer you my deepest sympathy in your loss. Billet was one of the best Lewis’ gunners I had, and has done some fine work for us, especially on May 3rd last at Fontaine. I am afraid I cannot give you any information as to the place of his burial, being at the base somewhere. If information is received I will gladly let you know. With repeated condolences, I remain, etc.”

Coalville Times article - Friday November 16th, 1917.

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Private J. F. Billett died in a Military Hospital in France from wounds received in action on October 8th. Formerly a M.R. shunter at Coalville. Parents reside at Lower Weston, near Bath.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 29/12/2017