Born in London in 1880, he joined the 1st Battalion Durham Light Iinfantry in 1895, aged 14 years, as a Boy soldier.  He then served with the same battalion until 1918, rising to the rank of Band Sergeant and having seen service in the Boer War and in India during the First World War. In early 1918, he joined 1/25th London Regiment, as Bandmaster, and served in the 3rd Afghan War.  He finally retired in November 1919, having completed 24 years in the Army with no entry on his conduct sheet! Philip Tilson became a solicitor's clerk after leaving the Army. He died in 1947.

Durham Light Infantry Medal Collection of Philip Tilson

Queen's South Africa (1899-02)
Monarch: Queen Victoria
Bar(s): CAPE COLONY (1899-02). TRANSVAAL (1900-02).
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 PTE P. TILSON. DURHAM LT INFY Impressed Capitals.

King's South Africa (1901-02)
Monarch: King Edward VII
Bar(s): SOUTH AFRICA 1901. SOUTH AFRICA 1902.
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 PTE P. TILSON. DURHAM L.I. Impressed Capitals.

1914-15 Star
Monarch: King George V
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 SJT. P. TILSON. DURH. L.I. Impressed Capitals.

British War Medal (1914-20)
Monarch: King George V
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 SJT. P. TILSON. DURH.L.I. Impressed Capitals.

Victory Medal (1914-18)
Monarch: King George V
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 SJT. P. TILSON. DURH. L.I. Impressed Capitals.

India General Service (1908-35)
Monarch: King George V
Bar(s): AFGHANISTAN NWF 1919.
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 742827 SGT. P. TILSON. 1-25 LOND. R. Impressed Capitals.

Delhi Durbar Medal (1911)
Monarch: King George V
Type: Silver
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 L/SGT: P. TILSON. BAND. 1ST.D.L.I. DELHI.1911 Badly Impressed Capitals.

Long Service & Good Conduct
Monarch: King George V
Type: Regular
Donor: TARRANT. MRS J L
Naming: 5555 L.SJT: P. TILSON. DURHAM L.I. Impressed Capitals.