Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Third Battle of Ypres’, D.C.M., 1916 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of five awarded to Company Quartermaster Sergeant F. H. Billing, 1st and 4th Battalions, Grenadier Guards, who as well as being twice decorated for his gallantry was also four times found guilty by a Field General Court Martial

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13029 Sjt: F. H. Billing. 4/G. Gds:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (13029 C.Q.M. Sjt: F. H. Billing. 1/G. Gds:); 1914 Star, with clasp (13029 Sjt: F. H. Billing. 1/G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (13029 Sjt. F. H. Billing. G. Gds.) nearly very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 6 February 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He observed an enemy patrol about 100 yards off approaching our lines. He at once rushed out single handed and attacked it with such energy that he captured an officer and one man, dispersing the remainder. He was conspicuous for his courage and offensive spirit throughout the operations.’

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916.

Frederick Herbert Billing was born in Towcester, Northamptonshire, in December 1888 and attested for the Grenadier Guards in December 1906. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he was promoted Corporal on 18 July 1911, and Sergeant on 1 May 1913. He qualified as a rifle instructor at Hythe on 26 June 1914, and following the outbreak of the Great War proceeded with the 1st Battalion to the Western Front, landing at Zeebrugge on 6 October 1914.

Advanced Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 2 July 1915, Billing was awarded the Military Medal most likely for his actions on the Somme. The following year, he was tried by a Field General Court Martial ‘for being disrespectful to his superior’, and being found guilty was reduced to Sergeant, transferring to the 4th Battalion. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions with the 4th Battalion at Broembeek on 11 October, during the Third Battle of Ypres. The following month he was again tried by a Field General Court Martial, this time for drunkenness whilst on active service at Arras, and being found guilty was reduced to Corporal. The following May, 1918, he was again tried by a Field General Court Martial, this time for breaking into a billet at Tincquette in search of plunder, and being found guilty for a third time was reduced to the ranks and sentenced to 12 months in prison with hard labour (although his imprisonment was later suspended).

Returning to England on 17 June 1918, Billings served as an Instructor with the 5th (Reserve) Battalion, and was appointed Lance-Corporal on 30 September 1918. He returned to France on 22 October 1918 and re-joined the 4th Battalion for the closing days of the War. Proceeding to Cologne as part of the occupation force, Billing was tried by a Field General Court Martial for a fourth time, this time for drunkenness whilst on active service, ands was again found guilty. Sentenced to 90 days Field Punishment No. 1, he was discharged on 31 March 1920.

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