As an extinct associate with the 44 Royal Engineer Commandos, Billinge was one of only four men in the 10-man unit to survive landings and subsequent battles in France, later fighting in Caen and the Falaise pocket in Normandy. He settled in Cornwall and went on to raise more than 50 50,000 for veterans, including a national monument in honor of his fallen comrades. He was awarded the MBE in 2019 for a charity fundraiser and was also awarded France’s highest award, the Légion d’honneur. His daughter, Sally Billinge-Shandley, said: “He was a man who always gave his word, his speech was consistent. He always fought for what he believed. His passion for all the veterans who lost their lives was unwavering. “How he dedicated his life to ensure that he will never be forgotten, that way he will be remembered. The monument to the Normandy veterans has just become part of it. it was just a huge part of his life. Some of his last words were: “You love each other.” When it came to the MBE, Billinge told BBC Breakfast: “I’m not a hero, I’m lucky, I’m here. “All the heroes are dead and I will never forget them.” Proud of cockney, he grew up in Petts Wood, Kent, but was in Cornwall for 70 years. He set up shop as a barber and became president of the local associations of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Engineers. He made annual pilgrimages to Normandy cemeteries. A tribute from the British Normandy Monument said: “The trust sends its heartfelt condolences to Harry’s wife, Sila, and to all his family and friends.” In 2020, Billinge was “deeply moved” to take a Great Western Railway (GWR) train named after him to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the war. Mark Hopwood, CEO of GWR, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our dear friend Harry Billinge MBE. It was our absolute honor to name one of our trains in October 2020 and we will never forget the impact it had on so many. “ Billinge was survived by his wife, Shelia, with whom he was married for 67 years, two daughters Sally and Margot, son Christopher and granddaughters Amy and Claire.
