Tearful meeting with downed comrade’s son

HE HAS devoted the past 76 years to remembering those who didn’t make it home from the battlefield of the Second World War.

But for veteran Harry Billinge, it was one death in particular that changed him for ever: Lance Corporal Joseph Neades, who died in his arms five weeks after they had stormed the beaches of Normandy.

Now the 94-year-old, who was appointed MBE in March after raising £1 each for every soldier who died on the D-day landings to help pay for a new memorial, has finally laid his ghosts to rest through an incredible encounter with Joseph’s son, Alan.

Harry was just 18 when he waded on to Gold beach at 6.30am. It was five weeks later, during the savage Battle of Normandy, that he found himself sharing a foxhole with 22-yearold Joseph, from Piddletrenthide, Dorset, who had landed on

Sword beach.

Speaking from his home in St Austell, Cornwall, Harry told the BBC Breakfast show: “I’ve been a bit sad. I’ve been on my own more or less since I got the medal on March 3.”

Prevented by the coronavirus pandemic from visiting the memorial that he helped to make possible, Harry said: “I’m there in my mind.

“That’s one thing about me, I’ve got a very good memory.”

And the memory of that fateful day in northern France – July 6, 1944 – has never left him.

Harry, a sapper with the Royal Engineers, recalled: “A mate of mine died in my arms and he was called Joseph Neades. I think it was five weeks after D-day.

“We were in this field, I was in a hole in the ground and this fella was quite close to me.when I heard he had a young baby it really moved me to tears. Joseph died in my arms and we said a prayer, a prayer for him.and he held my hand and I will never forget it.

“It’s very personal to me. I know that a lot of people died but it’s very personal because he was there with me, close.”

Yesterday, to Harry’s surprise, he was finally given a chance to meet Joseph’s son,alan, now 77.

As the two spoke via video call for the first time, Harry’s eyes filled with tears.

Alan said: “Hello, Harry, it’s lovely to meet you. I really can’t believe this is the opportunity to speak to someone who was actually there when my father died.”

A clearly emotional Harry replied: “I’m very moved to speak to you,alan. I landed on Gold beach and I think your father landed on Sword.

“I was very close to him. I held his hand.

“I was 18. So I devoted my life to remembering all those poor devils who never came back, and your father was up front with me. He died with me.”

Harry added: “I think I died a bit that day. I’ve never been the same man since – he has never left me. D-day has never left me, so your dad is still alive.”

Harry then went into quote the poem Hallowed Ground, by Thomas Campbell: “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” He added: “With living hearts we still live together.”

After their emotional meeting, Harry wiped away tears and reflected: “I don’t know how I had the strength to say that. I was carrying it from my heart.

“It brings it all back.

“Imagine that. All those years ago and now talking to a bloke who was just a baby. Marvellous.”