Richard's Story.
Richard Billington was born in Birkenhead in 1882 (although his Royal Navy service papers say 4th April 1885), the son of John Billington and Susan Billington. His father and mother had both been born in Liverpool, in 1851. By 1891, they were married and had a number of children, of which 5 were living with them at 1, Oakfield View, Birkenhead, and John Billington was a Boiler Maker. His 5 children living with him were: Richard Billington (born in1882); Elizabeth Billington (born in 1883); Susan Billington (born in 1885); Thomas Billington (born in 1888); and Robert Billington (born in 1889).
On 16th July 1891, Richard Billington enlisted into the Royal Navy. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as a News Vender. At his medical he was recorded as being 5ft 1 1/8th in tall; with brown hair; grey eyes; and a fresh complexion. On his right forearm he had the initials “S.B.” and “R.B.” tattooed, and on his left forearm he had tattooed the initials “R.B.” with a small cross, a broad arrow, 2x date’s of birth, and crossed flags. Richard Billington was posted to the Training Ship HMS Caledonia (Formerly HMS Impregnable) (3,880 tons. Built at Chatham Dockyard in 1810) as Boy 2nd Class. He remained in training on board this ship, and qualified as Boy 1st Class, until 26th June 1901. Boy 1st Class Billington was then posted to the Iron Screw Ship HMS Minotaur (10,690 tons / Built on the Thames on 12th December 1863) until 1st August 1901, when he returned to HMS Caledonia from 2nd August 1901 – 3rd September 1901, and then once again, returned to HMS Minotaur from 4th September 1901 – 3rd December 1901. On 4th December 1901, he joined the crew of the Iron Screw Ship HMS Agincourt (10,600 tons / Built by Cammell, Laird & Co., 0n 27th March 1865). Boy 1st Class Billington left her on 21st January 1902, when he was posted to the Battleship HMS Repulse (14, 150 tons / Built at Pembroke Dock 27th February 1892), and during his service on board this ship, he qualified as Ordinary Seaman. He continued to serve on board her until 28th November 1903, when he left to join the Battleship HMS Bulwark (15,000 tons / Built at Devonport Dockyard 18th October 1899), remaining on board her until 2nd January 1905. He was posted to the Base Ship HMS Pembroke from 3rd January 1905 – 7th June 1905, and then returned to HMS Repulse from 8th June 1905 – 23rd March 1906, before joining the Battleship HMS Illustrious (14,900 tons / Buily at Chatham Dockyard 17th September 1896). Ordinary Saman Billington qualified as an Able Seaman during his service on board this ship, and left her on 1st June 1906. On 2nd June 1906, Able Seaman Billington joined the Base Ship HMS Pembroke I until 24th November 1908. From 25th November 1908 – 20th May 1910, he served on board the Battleship HMS Triumph (11, 985 tons / Built by Vickers 15th January 1903). His next posting was to the 1st Class Cruiser HMS Crescent (7,700 tons / Built at Portsmouth Dockyard 30th March 1892) from 21st May 1910 – 9th June 1910, before returning to HMS Pembroke I from 10th June 1910 - 4th August 1910. Able Seaman Billington joined the 1st Class Cruiser HMS Endymion on 5th August 1910 and left her on 27th August 1911. Once again, he re-joined HMS Pembroke I from 28th August 1911 - 2nd October 1911, and was then posted to the 2nd Class Cruiser HMS Juno (5,600 tons / Built by Vickers on 16th November 1895) from 3rd October 1911 – 17th April 1912. From 18th April 1912 – 24th January 1913 Able Seaman Billington served on the brand-new 2nd Class Cruiser HMS Yarmouth (5, 250 tons / Built by the London & Glasgow Company on 12th April 1911). Then he was posted to the Base Ship HMS Egmont from 25th January 1913 – 7th February 1913, followed by a posting back to HMS Pembroke I from 8th February 1913 – 14th March 1913. His next ship was the Torpedo School Ship HMS Actaeon from 15th March 1913 and was still here on the outbreak of the Great War on 4th August 1914 and didn’t leave until 10th August 1914. Able Seaman Billington returned to HMS Pembroke I from 11th August 1914 – 28th August 1914, when he joined his next ship, the Light Cruiser HMS Undaunted (3,500 ton’s / Built by Fairfield on 28th August 1914). During his time on board this ship, he was put in the cells for 14 days, but no reason was given. He returned for the last time to HMS Pembroke I on 24th April 1915 and was invalided out of the service with “Diseases of the nervous system (mental)” on 9th June 1916.
On 17th November 1915, he enlisted under the Derby Scheme, at Birkenhead. At the time of his enlistment, he was living at 148, Beckwith Street, Birkenhead, and was employed as a Red Leader at Messrs. Cammell, Laird & Co., Shipbuilders. At his medical he was recorded as being 5ft 1 ¼ in tall, with a fully expanded chest of 34 ½ in, and had a tattoo on his left wrist which read “Nellie”. He gave his sister, Mrs Alice Liversage, of 1, Halkin Street, Birkenhead, and his age as being 32 years 214 days. On completion of his medical, he was posted to the Army Reserve, and wasn’t mobilized until 20th March 1916, and was posted to the 14th (Reserve) Bn Cheshire Regiment (No.36329) the following day. On 16th July 1916, Private Billington was sent to France, and after a brief period at an Infantry Base Depot, was posted to the 10th Bn Cheshire Regiment. He was killed in action either by heavy shell-fire, or on a patrol which was sent out, on 2nd September 1916. His body was initially recovered and idetified from the battlefield, but was subsquently lost through subsequent actions in the area, and he is therefore commemorated on Special Memorial No.9, Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille, France.
Family application form requesting Richard to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
His medal entitlement is unusual, as he appears to have had a double issue. For his service in the Royal Navy, he was entitled to the 1914 or 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal, and his army medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Richard Billington’s brother – 11834 Private John Billington 1st Bn Cheshire Regiment – was killed in action on 2nd June 1915.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
Richard Billington's grave in Blighty Valley Cemetery
Birkenhead News 11 October 1916
Sailor Dies as a Soldier
After Four Naval Engagements.
News has been received that Pte. Richard Billington was killed in action in France on Sept. 2nd. Pte. Billington had served in the Navy for 16 years, and had been through four engagements in the North Sea, but was discharged through shattered nerves. Still being anxious to serve his country he joined the Cheshire Regt. last March and went to the front two or three months ago. Pte. Billington lived with his sister at 1, Halkin Street, Birkenhead. In June of last year, his brother, the manager at the “Echo” Office, Rock Ferry slip, was also killed.
Richard's brother, John Billington, who was also in the Cheshire Regiment (service number 11834) was killed in action on the 2nd June 1915. He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.
Richard Billington's photograph, grave photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth