Flemington-Kensington Church News, February 1917

No 492 Sergt F R Billinge sailed with the 7th Batt and went through the Gallipoli Campaign.  At the landing he was one of four out of forty in his boat to reach the beach.  He has been twice buried by exploding shells - for 15 and 20 minutes respectively.  He is now in Army Pay Corps, Horseferry Road, London.  He describes London "as a very big place, but rather too crowded for my liking".  He expresses constant admiration for the underground railways and the splendid management of the traffic.  "I have not yet been able to see any of the historic places as we have been working very hard. Things are not too good here;  food is an enormous price and sugar is hardly obtainable.  When people want sugar they have to spend 2 or 3 shillings on other groceries before they can get a pound".