Cornish D-Day veteran "deeply moved" following train naming ceremony
Harry Billinge MBE had a train named after him by Great Western Railway.
Last updated 7th Oct 2020
One of Britain’s last surviving D-Day veterans, Harry Billinge MBE, from Cornwall has today had a train named in his honour by Great Western Railway, in front of family and friends, onlookers, and military representatives.
"I've been deeply moved today. Having a train named after me is a great honour. It will remind people of the fine men who fought that day, lots of whom never went back home again.
"It’s important that their memory is remembered, and I hope this train will carry that message to thousands of people every day."
Harry Billlinge MBE
The train operator is marking 75 years since the end of World War Two by naming seven of its Intercity Express Trains after remarkable people involved in the conflict.
"Everyone at the Trust warmly congratulates Harry on the naming of a train in his honour. We are so proud of Harry and grateful for all his remarkable fundraising efforts for the Memorial and everything he has done to raise the profile of the Trust."
General The Lord Dannatt, Trustee of the Normandy Memorial Trust
Harry Billinge MBE, 95, was one of the first soldiers to land on ‘Gold’ beach at 0630 on 6 June 1944 as part of the D-Day landings. He was a sapper attached to the 44 Royal Engineer Commandos and was one of only four to survive from his unit. He went on to fight in Caen and the Falaise Pocket in Normandy.
He was awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours List for his fundraising efforts in St Austell for the Normandy Memorial Trust.
His name now features on Intercity Express Train number 802006, which went on to form the 1015 service from Penzance to London Paddington after the ceremony.
“Harry’s an inspiration and a daily reminder of that incredible generation. We can never say thank you enough for the privileges and freedom we enjoy today because of your sacrifices 75 years ago.”
Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans
“We are honoured to name one of our Intercity Express Trains after Harry Billinge MBE, who undoubtedly took part in one of the most important battles of World War Two.
“We at Great Western have a long history of naming trains after Great Westerners, the past and present heroes from across our network.
“It is right that we honour some of those heroes of the war effort, remembering the sacrifice, bravery and tenacity that later generations owe so much to.”
Simon Green, GWR Engineering Director