BSc Manch 1956, MB ChB 1959; FRCS Edin 1964; FRCS Eng 1964.
Kilshaw was born in Bolton on 8 December 1934 and was educated at Chadderton Grammar School and the University of Manchester, where he studied physiology and medicine and was demonstrator in physiology. Kilshaw held resident positions at MRI and Ancoats Hospital Manchester before being appointed registrar in surgery at MRI in 1963. He was senior registrar at Withington Hospital Manchester before being appointed consultant surgeon to Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness. Kilshaw was a member of MMS. His brother, Miles Frederick Kilshaw (b 1937) was also a medical student at Manchester and held house positions at MRI before emigrating to Canada.