100 Days of Heroes: King’s honour for Hector Long’s gallantry and devotion to duty
GRIEVING mother Margaret Long climbed the steps at the Hobart Town Hall in September 1918 to accept the king’s honour for her soldier son Hector.
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GRIEVING mother Margaret Long ascended the steps at the Hobart Town Hall in September 1918 to accept the king’s honour for her soldier son Hector.
The 23-year-old army sergeant had been killed in action in the field in France six months earlier.
Hector was a 21-year-old carpenter when he enlisted at Claremont in January 1916. He was appointed as a corporal with the 40th Battalion and left for Europe on HMAT Berrima in July 1916.
He transferred to France in November that year and came before a court of inquiry after he was accidentally injured in May 1917, requiring hospitalisation in England.
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The panel determined that Hector’s injury was caused while he was experimenting with a Mills rifle grenade.
He next came under notice on Christmas Eve that year, when he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).
This award was in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on enemy trenches.
The citation said he had forced his way through the enemy’s barbed wire and cleared the trench with his bombing party.
“He dealt with several dug-outs, entering them with total disregard for danger. His determination and offensive spirit were a splendid example to his men, and his work throughout the operation was invaluable.”
Hector was made a sergeant soon after this incident, but was killed in action in France on March 28, 1918.
He was buried the next day at Heilly Station Cemetery, with the Reverend C.C. Esperson officiating.
His DCM was presented to his mother during an official function at the Hobart Town Hall on September 17, 1918.
The Mercury reported that the presentation was followed by tremendous cheers.
Mrs Long later received a letter from Sergeant B.W. Turner about the death of her son.
“Dear Mrs. Long, It is indeed a sad man that is trying to write these few lines and you have my deepest sympathy in the sad loss of your son. I was away from the company when he was killed. On joining up a day or two ago I was very sorry to learn his sad fate. He was in my platoon, and acted as platoon sergeant while I was away. The men used to think a great deal of him, and highly, too, because he was a man every inch of him, and a soldier: none was better. He honestly won his decoration, D.C.M., and if he had lived it would not have stopped at that. He was a brave lad, and one that any one of the lads would have followed. You have some consolation in knowing that he died in the noblest manner possible and may God give you strength to bear your sad loss. Words fail to express my feelings, Mrs Long, but my deepest sympathy goes to you and yours in your great loss. Yours sincerely, B.W. Turner, sergeant.”
Sergeant Hector Charles Warwick Long is remembered at tree 467 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue and on honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall, Holy Trinity Church and St David’s Cathedral.
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