Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the Grandson of Joseph Billings a house painter, born 1850 in Stamford, Lincolnshire and his wife Caroline Felicity Billings (nee Goodliffe, married in the 2nd quarter of 1873 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1851 in Oakham, Rutland. Ernest Benge Billings was born on the 11th October 1896 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his Uncles and Aunts were John Thomas, a post office clerk, born 1874 in Stamford, Herbert, born 29th September 1887, Arthur, born 1891 and Nellie, born 30th May 1892, the latter three cousins were all born in Oakham, in March 1901 the family home was at John Street, Oakham. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a jeweller’s apprentice and was residing West Road, Oakham, together with his widowed Grandmother and Uncle Herbert and Aunt Nellie. Ernest was the son of Annie Eliza Billings, born 1877 in Hull, Yorkshire, in March 1901 his mother was employed as a domestic cook and was residing as a servant at Griffins Wood, Epping, Essex. In April 1911 his mother was employed as a domestic cook and was residing as a servant at Ragged Lands, Glynde, Sussex. Prior to enlistment he was a watchmaker. Ernest embarked abroad on the 23rd December 1916, serving in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Palestine, he fought at Baghdad and in the final battles in Palestine, he died at Kantara, Egypt of broncho-pneumonia. Ernest was awarded the British and Victory medals.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Ernest BILLINGS
Sapper, 7th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers. Army no. 148008
He died whilst on active service on 28 December 1918. He was 22.
He was the son of Caroline and the late Joseph Billings, 16 West Road, Oakham
He is buried in grave E 421 Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
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M Allbrook 2013