Charles Henry Long

Charles Henry Long was a recalled reservist having been a regular soldier who enlisted at Nottingham into The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 13/1/1900. He was 24 years 11 months old at the time, stood 5' 5" tall and weighed 121 lbs. He fought in the Boer War between 6/9/1901 and 17/10/1902 and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal. He was entitled to 5 of 26 clasps awarded to indicate participation in various Boer War actions and campaigns. Early in his army career, Long was regulalrly in trouble for drunkenness. In 1902, he was 'admonished' for being drunk in the barracks. More seriously, he destroyed a hut in 1907 whilst intoxicated. In 1906, he was confined to barracks for 8 days having 'made an improper reply to an officer' and received 14 days CB in 1907 for 'serving beer whilst in the sergeants' mess contrary to orders.' However, he seems to have reformed; when transferred to the Special Reserve 11/1/1910, his conduct was described as 'good' with 'no offence during the past 8 months' and 'no instance of drunkenness during 2 years 2 months of service.' He re-engaged 18/9/1911 'for a further period of 4 years with effect from 12/1/1912'. 1st Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, as part of 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, was one of the first British units to reach the continent in 1914. They travelled from Le Havre into Belgium where the reality of their position soon became clear. 'A flying officer,' noted The Diary of a Second Lieutenant, included in the battalion war diary '... has been up in his plane and seen thousands of Germans; these we are to meet with four Divisions!' As the BEF retreated following fierce fighting around Mons on August 23rd, the Lancashires passed through Soissons, Villers-Cotterets and Coulommiers until, on September 5th, they reached Bernay. '...we are told we shall not retire any more; the great retreat is ended and we shall move forward soon.' Long's battalion fought in the Battles of the Marne and Aisne before becoming entrenched around Troyon later in September. Battalion War Diary 28/9/1914: 'A quiet morning except for artillery duel... A quiet afternoon.... 12 midnight. The Germans attacked the French and our trenches were badly shelled. We remained in our 'dug outs'. The enemy attacked the KR Rifles at 3am but the attacks were driven off. There was a very terrific night attack which appeared to be from the French right. German aeroplanes hovered around. We tried to bring one down with rifle fire. The enemy used a good many rockets to light up the lines... Up to today we have had 4 killed and 9 wounded during these 2 days in the trenches.' One of the four fatalities was Charles Henry Long.

Charles Henry Long is commemorated on the Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial (66 kilometres east of Paris). Arriving in France 3/9/1914, Long qualified for the 14 Star. Research by David Nunn Sources: Charles Heny Long's Army Service Record (ASR) 1st Bn The Loyal North Lancashire Battalion War Diary (TNA WO95/1270/1)