Arrested by the authorities of the Russian Empire, he served several one-and-a-half-month sentences in the Warsaw Citadel and Daniłłiczowski Prison.

In the years 1909–1912 he was able to finish 'industrial-agricultural courses' at the Higher Agricultural School in Warsaw, and from 1912 to 1913 he worked on an experimental folwark in Szamocin.

Its main task was to delay advancing German troops and withdraw eastwards along the northern line of the Carpathians and defend the heavily industrialized Upper Silesia region.

During the early stages of the Battle of the Border the northern Army Łódź was partially surrounded by quickly advancing German forces.

A careful tactician, General Szylling followed the strategy of 'retreat to fight another day' instead of engaging the superior enemy.

General Szylling, despite the increasingly difficult situation for the Polish forces, was able to retreat successfully towards the city of Lublin, following his orders and avoiding several German attempts to surround him.

On 30 April 1945 he was freed by advancing American forces; he decided not to return to Polish Communist-controlled Poland, but emigrated to France and later to the United Kingdom and, finally, to Canada (in 1947).

He actually died at the Maria (Curie) Sklodowski Polish Home for the Aged on Belanger Street in Montreal.