Gravestone of William Billinge, Longnor

The Inscription reads:-

In Memory of William BILLINGE, who
was born in a Cornfield at Fawfieldhead in
this Parish in the Year 1679. At the age of
23 Years he enlisted into his Majefty's Service
under Sir George Rooke and was at the taking
of the Fortreff of Gibraltra in 1704. He after-
wards ferved under the Duke of Marlborough at
the ever Memorable Battle of Ramillies,
fought on the 23rd May 1706 where he
was wounded by a mufket shot in the thigh.
He afterwards returned to his native country and
with manly courage defended his Sovereigns
rights at the Rebellion in 1715 and 1745. He
died with a space of 150 yards of where
he was born and was interred here the 30
January 1791 aged 112 years.
Billeted by Death I quartered here remain.
When the trumpet founds I'll rife and march again.

Note: An inscription on the Reverse explains that the stone is a facsimile of the original.

(Information provided by Alf Beard)