Merle,
I think the best way to follow up your investigations would be to get a copy of his full birth certificate which will give parents names (including mothers maiden name). You can order a copy of a full birth certificate from: GRO, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD (Tel. 0845 603 7788). You can use a credit card over the phone. The normal cost of a full bith certificate is £11.50 but if you quote the full refernce details then the cost is only £8.50 by phone or £7 if you order online (
ERROR://www.gro.gov.uk).
In order to help I have looked up the GRO reference you will need to quote:
FULL BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Name = John Thomas Tilt
Year = 1909
Quarter = March
District = Bromsgrove
Volume = 6c
Page = 345
Hope this helps,
Louis