Crowds to line streets ahead of funeral of Cornish D-Day veteran Harry Billinge
The funeral will take place in Charlestown at 11am on Tuesday 26th April
Last updated 26th Apr 2022
Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets ahead of the funeral for much-loved D-Day veteran from Cornwall, Harry Billinge.
A service for Harry, who sadly passed away on 5th April, will take place at St Paul's Church in Charlestown on Tuesday 26th April.
The cortege will make its way from St Austell ahead of the service, which will be followed by a private cremation for immediate family.
Dan Newbold, who escorted Harry to collect his MBE, said: "He had a great character he had love for everyone, he had time for everyone. He just loved people.
"I had some fantastic times with that guy, every minute was special. I had the honour, he asked me to go up to Buckingham Palace to collect his MBE.
"He raised money with others to make them aware and to make people not forget the sacrifices that were made by his friends and soldiers and fellow comrades. That's what he'll be remembered most by, by education".
Tributes are expected to roll in for MBE Harry Billinge as the car makes its way through St Austell, allowing people to pay their respects along the route.
A collection pot for the Normandy Memorial Trust, which Harry dedicated his life to donating for, will be at the service.
Julie, from the Normandy Memorial Trust, said: "To know him is to love him, and I'm going to miss him greatly.
"I first met Harry when he raised ÂŁ22, 440. He was thrilled, he said he wasn't stopping there and he was going to keep going until the education centre was built. And after that he kept on going for the education centre was built as well.
"Harry always used to say to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die, and I think that he'll carry on in so many hearts".
In his life, Harry Billinge was known for his fundraising around St Austell and outside Par Market, where he visited weekly with a collection pot to raise money for a memorial centre in honour of his lost comrades and soldiers who never came home.
Charlotte, is from the Veterans Breakfast club at Par, who are fundraising for the Normandy Memorial Trust in Harry's name.
She said: "To everyone, he was a hero, he says he wasn't but he'll always be a hero to me.
"He was such an inspiration to me and many many people, if someone that age who's been through everything that he's been through at such a young age and face to world head on and still have the love and compassion he had to people, then everyone should have that same compassion".
She added: "There are so many people who will want to attend just to show their respects to Harry, and his wife Sheila who's been by his side forever".
St Austell and Newquay MP, Steve Double, said: "He became quite well-known. He was very much a local man with real local connections.
"I fully expect there'll be many people who will turn out at his funeral and pay their respects and say goodbye to Harry. He will be someone who will be greatly missed and I'm sure many people will want to take that opportunity to remember him and to say goodbye".
Funeral cortege for Harry Billinge
The notice on social media on Tuesday's service reads: "On April 5th 2022, peacefully at his home. Harry aged 96 years of St Austell. Loving and devoted husband of Sheila. Dearly loved dad of Margot, Sally and Christopher. Loving grandad of Claire and Amy. Great grandad of Taylor, Chelsea and Ross. Much loved and respected by his family, friends and colleagues.
"A Requiem Mass Service will be held at St Paul’s Church, Charlestown on Tuesday April 26th at 11am followed by a Private Cremation. Family spray only but donations if desired for the Normandy Memorial Trust and can be kindly placed in the donation box at the service.
"For those wishing to pay their respects, Harry will be leaving PCF Home 14-16 Mount Charles Road at 10.10am to travel along Victoria Road, Alexandra Road, East Hill, South Street, Trinity Street through Fore Street at 10.30am to pass the War Memorial Cross at Holy Trinity Church, High Cross Street, Tregonissey Road and Slades Road.
Harry will then be leaving his home at 10.40am before continuing along Slades Road, Clifden Road, Holmbush Arch Road into Church Road, Charlestown".
The wake will be held at 1pm by the St Austell Brewery at their visitors centre, where they will serve a new beer in Harry's memory with a name suggested by his friends and family.
You can see full details to the service here.