Son of the Watchmaker Thomas Hilton, Edwin was born on 11 September 1892 and he became a watchmaker working for his father, alongside his brother Arthur.
During WW1 Edwin was enlisted in the 4th Lancashire British Expeditionary Force on 3rd July 1917, and was wounded in action on 31st July 1917. Service numbers 41947and C382795 he also served in the Labour Corps, and survived the war and was De Mobilised on 31st Jan 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal in 1921.