Orders, Decorations and Medals

Eight: Able Seaman F. W. G. Billinge, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Zeebrugge Raid and a survivor of the ‘Jervis Bay’, sunk by enemy action defending a convoy in 1940
1914-15 Star Trio, renamed replacements for those lost at sea in 1940; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. 1st issue (JX.804738 A.B. H.M.S. Pembroke) small correction to Rate, together with companion miniature medals, both sets mounted as worn, a small oil painting of the ‘Jervis Bay’, two Gunnery History Sheets, Menu for the ‘Jervis Bay’ 20th Anniversary Survivor’s Reunion Dinner, various letters, news cuttings and photographs, very fine (16)

Frederick William George Billinge was one of the last survivors of the Jervis Bay which was sunk in November 1940 by the German battleship Admiral Scheer. Amongst those lost in this action was the captain, Fogarty Fegen, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. There were just sixty-five survivors of this heroic action, including Able Seaman Billinge, who lost all his possessions including his Great War service medals. The lot is accompanied by a letter of recommendation from Commander J. R. Gower, R.N. College, Greenwich, dated 29 September 1952, which states: ‘F. W. G. Billinge has served under me for over 12 months and has now retired from the Royal Navy with an excellent record of service and glowing reports throughout his time. I can confirm these well deserved tributes, I have found him reliable, trustworthy, willing & conscientious, no employer could ask for more. He has been a good influence with the younger men. He was in H.M.S. Vindictive at Zeebrugge in 1918 & in H.M.S. Jervis Bay in 1940, both his Captains winning the V.C. in those epic battles. My good wishes go with him in seeking new employment & I recommend him with complete confidence.’