Harry Billinge MBE

The British Normandy War Memorial. Images courtesy of the Normandy Memorial Trust

D-Day veteran Horace "Harry" Billinge has died aged 96 after a short illness. Harry was a sapper in 44 Royal Engineer Commandos, surviving the storming of Gold Beach on June 6th 1944, Caen and the Falaise Pocket.

Harry worked tirelessly supporting veterans causes, spending more than 60 years collecting for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and helping to raise funds for a national memorial to the 22,442 men and women under British command who fell in Normandy. His many efforts were recognised in 2020 when he received the MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Harry never considered himself a hero, just lucky. In his view the heroes were his fallen comrades and should not be forgotten. The British Normandy Memorial now stands as a fitting tribute thanks to the dedication of Harry and the many fundraisers who made it happen and cared for by CWGC.

More information on the British Normandy War Memorial can be found on the following links:

New British Normandy War Memorial unveiled (cwgc.org)

CWGC to care for British Normandy Memorial | CWGC