Reginald Thomas Long

Born: 1891

Died: 12 June 1919

Rank and Regiment: Gunner 163824 in the 449th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Resting Place: St. Peter’s, Reymerston, United Kingdom

Memorial: St. Peter’s, Reymerston, United Kingdom

Reginald Thomas Long was the third son of Albert and Agnes Long, born in Newton Flotman in 1891. He was conscripted in 1916 but appears actually to have joined the Army at Attleborough on 24 May 1917, becoming a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery (163824).

He was a milkman at the time of enlistment. He was 5 ft 11 in tall – very tall for those days - chest 37” with light brown hair and grey eyes. It was noted of him “Requires dental treatment”.

He served in France from 14 October to 14 December 1917. He was discharged on 18 May 1918, suffering from pleurisy and pulmonary tuberculosis, attributed to his war service – “due to exposure and infection with TB”. He was classed as 100% disabled. His military character was described as good – “Well behaved during his short period with the colours”. He died on 12 June 1919, of pulmonary tuberculosis, and is buried in Reymerston Churchyard. Although presumably dying of tuberculosis contracted during war service, he is not listed a casualty of the war by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The inscription on his tombstone reads simply:

THY WILL BE DONE