Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Chief Petty Officer Cook E. W. Billinger, Royal Navy, who died from injuries sustained during the Plymouth Blitz on 21 March 1941

1914-15 Star (347523, E. W. Billinger, L.Ck. Mte., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (347523 E. W. Billinger. L. Ck. Mte. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (347523 E. W. Billinger, P.O. Cook. H.M.S. Cambrian.) number partially officially corrected on last, very fine (4) £120-£160

Edwin Walter Billinger was born on 10 July 1884 at Sidmouth, Devon, and commenced his naval service as a Probationer Second Cook’s Mate in H.M.S. Vivid I, on 20 June 1906. He was advanced to Leading Cook’s Mate, H.M.S. Vivid II, on 1 March 1911; Ship’s Cook on 15 May 1916; and Petty Officer Cook on 17 May 1919. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1922, and was promoted Chief Petty Officer Cook on 1 November 1922. He was shore pensioned on 19 June 1928, and died from injuries sustained during an enemy air raid on Plymouth on 21 March 1941. He is buried under a C.W.G.C. headstone, as a civilian casualty of the Second World War, in Plymouth War Cemetery.