Frank Tilbury was born in London, Ontario, in 1877 and enlisted in the 135th Battalion on December 13, 1915; he listed his occupation as musician, and noted that he had previous service in the 26th Regiment and the 1st Hussars. The diaries, which run from August 1916 to August 1917, cover his training in England and his service at the front with the 60th and 116th Battalions.