4694813 Bombardier William LONG, 73 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery: 05/01/1945

Not to sure where to put this on the site.
5th Jan 1945.
Marche Belgium. 196th Battery, 73rd Anti tank regiment, set up their 17lb guns on the forests edge in support of the Oxford & Buckinghamshire light infantry. It's was the start of 45 and they said the Germans were finished. 196 was mortared and shelled with 88's.
One mortar landed right in the gun pit of 'D troop'.
Bdr William Long, of Harrogate Yorkshire, was killed instantly, Bdr Davey of Stockwell was wounded. W. Long is buried in Marche commonwealth cemetery which I hope to visit in May this year. When you read of people's lives and see pictures of them then ultimately of their death it makes it all seem more real.

 

Remembering Today

Casualty Details | CWGC
LONG, WILLIAM
Rank: Bombardier
Service No: 4694813
Date of Death: 05/01/1945
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery, 73 Anti-Tank Regt.
Grave Reference: VI. B. 11.
Cemetery: HOTTON WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Long, of Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Personal Inscription: AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER

 

Cheers ClL1. Only thing to add was he was in D troop of 196 battery, 73rd anti tank regiment.

 

I visited the grave in May this year

 

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