Leslie Charles Long

Les Long was a hairdresser from London, which was also home to Vic “Chalky” White. Both men had apparently deserted to fight in the Spanish Civil War. On the outbreak of World War Two, they had had managed to work their way back to Britain on a tramp steamer. Presumably after some form of punishment, they both joined the Norfolk Regiment (though their original Army numbers are for the Essex regiment). Both would go on to join 1 SAS and take part in Operation Bulbasket, alongside numerous other ex Auxiliary Units men. Both were executed by the Germans on 7 Jul 1944.