With support from the University of Richmond

New perspectives on how history is made

Mild-mannered bank manager revealed as First World War hero

A 'mild-mannered' bank manager who never discussed the First World War with his family has been revealed as a hero soldier who fought behind enemy lines.

Corporal Reginald ''Rex'' Billingham became stranded in a shell hole after his battalion was ordered to recapture a French village from German forces in May 1917.

He was surrounded by German troops and survived grenades and mortar fire for four nights and three days before dodging a hail of bullets to return to British troops.

He was awarded the Military Medal for his heroism and went on to become a bank manager for Barclays in St Albans, Herts, after the war....
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)