BRIGADIER GENERAL WALTER LONG
GENERAL STAFF
28TH JANUARY 1917 AGE 37
BURIED: COUIN BRITISH CEMETERY, FRANCE
The records don't show who chose this inscription but I would assume it was 'Toby' Long's wife. I'm curious because there is nothing heroising or romantic about it. Is this Wordsworth's duty, "the stern daughter of the voice of God"?
Who art a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring and reprove;
Thou, who art victory and law
When empty terrors overawe;
From vain temptations dost set free;
And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity!
It's interesting that the word 'duty' should have featured prominently in The Times' report of his death:
"The death of General Long will be lamented by a wide circle of friends. He was the best type of officer of the old Army, adored by his soldiers, and a man to whom duty always came first. He was never off duty for a day while in France"
Brigadier General Long had been in France since he crossed with the Expeditionary Force in August 1914 as a captain in the Scots Greys. He was 37 when he was killed in January 1917 while inspecting the trenches at Hebuterne. He had a distinguished career behind him and the expectation of an even more distinguished career in front of him. As General Haig wrote to his father:
"his death deprives the Army of one of our best Brigadiers. As a soldier he was so practical and thoroughly up to his work. I always felt he was sure to attain high rank, and as a man, he was loved and admired by us for his manly straight forward ways."
Walter 'Toby' Long was the son of Walter Long, who at the time of his son's death was Secretary of State for the Colonies. Elevated to the peerage as 1st Viscount Long of Wraxall it was his thirteen year-old grandson, Walter Francis David Long, who inherited the title in 1924. Walter Francis David, 2nd Viscount Wraxall, was killed in action during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. The title went to his father's brother, Richard, whose younger son inherited the title in 1967, his older brother, a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, having died in 1941.
To humbler functions, awful Power!
I call thee: I myself commend
Unto thy guidance from this hour;
O, let my weakness have an end!
Give unto me, made lowly wise,
The spirit of self-sacrifice;
The confidence of reason give;
And in the light of truth thy bondman let me live!
Ode to Duty
William Wordsworth 1770-1850