Godfray Philip Billot
Godfray Philip Billot
This biography is an abridged version of the entry in A Biographical Dictionary of Jersey Vol 2
Godfray Philip Billot was born in 1906 in London, the only son of George Philip and Ella Rosa, nee Messervy, both of St Martin
Early years
He was born on 5 August 1906 in Highgate, London, where his father was in banking with Credit Lyonnais.
On completion of his education at the City of London School he joined HMS Worcester as an officer cadet. He gained his master's ticket in 1935 and moved to the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company, working for them until her retired to Jersey in 1968.
In 1939 he was mobilised and joined HMS Worcestershire as gunnery officer. Promotions in 1940 and 1941 saw him given command of HMS Hartland, a convoy escort. While ramming a boom at Oran before the North African landings in 1942 his ship was hit by point-blank fire and he was blinded in one eye, had a shoulder smashed and a bullet in his leg. He escaped with his crew, but they were captured by the Vichy French and imprisoned briefly before being liberated by US forces.
For his bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1943.
He rejoined Canadian Pacific until his retirement and moved to Jersey with his wife Margaret, nee Baldie, in 1968. They had a son and a daughter. He took a keen interest in parish and church affairs until his death in January 1977
Family tree
