The funeral of Harry Billinge, one of the first British soldiers to storm Gold Beach during the Normandy landings in 1944, is taking place today at 11 am in St Paul’s Church in Charlestown, followed by a cremation for his immediate family.
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Harry Billinge, who at 18 years, was one of the first British soldiers to land on Gold beach in 1944, died at the age of 96 earlier this month after a short illness.
A sapper attached to the 44 Royal Engineer Commandos, Harry Billinge was one of only four men from his 10-man unit to survive the landings and subsequent battles in France, later fighting in Caen and the Falaise pocket in Normandy.
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In his latter years, Harry Billinge settled in Cornwall and went on to raise more than £50,000 for veterans, including for a national memorial honouring his fallen comrades.
Harry Billinge was made an MBE in 2019 for charitable fundraising, and he was also awarded France’s highest award, the Légion d’honneur.
Harry Billinge is survived by his wife Sheila, daughters Sally and Margot, son Christopher and granddaughters Amy and Claire.
Sheila and Harry Billing wed in 1955 and were married for 67 years until his passing.
Though details concerning Sheila’s age is not yet available, she is believed to be in her late 80’s or early 90’s.
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