| Surname: | Long |
| Initials: | P G |
| Rank: | Corporal |
| Army Number: | 24934788 |
| Notes: | RMP. 24/6/2003. Ambushed at police station at Al Majar Al-Kabir by an Arab mob, Iraq. The following were also killed in the same incident Sgt Hamilton-Jewell, Cpl R Aston, Cpl S Miller,L/Cpl B J Mc Hyde, L/Cpl T R Keys. Born 19/7/1978. Buried Colchester Cemetery, Mersea Road, plot 00 grave 35. Civilian gravestone with inscription: In loving memory of Paul Graham Long, dearly loved husband of Gemma and Daddy of Benjamin. A much loved Son and Brother. Fell asleep 24th June, 2003, age 24 years. Always in our hearts, forever in out thoughts. Love you Huney, Nite Nite ,God bless. Paul Graham Long. Extract from the Evening Herald (Dublin) 26/6/2003. Para Deaths 'misunderstanding' A "MISUNDERSTANDING" over weapons searches was today blamed for mob scenes in Iraq on the day six soldiers were killed. Major General Peter Wall said the crowd violence that lead to eight Paras being wounded in a firefight seemed "to have stemmed from a misunderstanding". He offered no explanation for the reported two hour police station siege which left six Royal Military Police soldiers dead, amid claims that four of the men might have been executed with their own guns. The senior British commander said he could not comment on the claims while an investigation into Tuesday's shooting was being carried out. Reports had claimed that all the violence was triggered by anger of alleged heavy handed weapons searches in and around the southern town of Al Majar al-Kabir. Extract from Shields Daily Gazette, 27 June 2003. Mum's Grief At Murder. A South Tyneside mother is today devastated after being fold her son was one of six soldiers executed by a baying mob in Iraq. Corporal Paul Graham Long, from South Shields, was trapped inside a police station for two hours as he and five other Royal Military Police tried to fight off 300 Iraqis. Confusion over their position seems to have resulted in the Army not sending a rescue team, despite receiving a call for help. Today the 24 year old's mother Patricia and former neighbours paid tribute to him. She said: "The Army was his life, he was a wonderful son and I still love him very much and miss him. I wish he was home with me now." The last time Paul's mum who is being comforted at her home in Bamford Walk by other son Byron, 20, and daughter Maris, 31 saw him was when he married his new wife Gemma. She said he was a devoted husband and father to his 11 month old son. She said: "Last time I saw him was in April 2022 at his wedding. He was very happy, he was a marvelous husband. nothing will sum up what he meant to me, he was everything to me. All my children are everything to me., He is going to big a big miss. Father Anthony Cornforth from the Holy Rosary RC Church in Westoe Road has been comforting the family. He said: P"Patricia is obviously devastated, as nay mother would be. "when you have family in the forces you are aware that it could happen, but you never think it will happen to you. "The family are offering her a lot of support. Paul was a son any mother would have been proud of." Army Investigators are still trying to piece together the exact circumstances of the incidents surrounding Cpl Long's death in the southern town of Al Majar Al Kibir, which is about 100 miles north of the second city Basra. Cpl Long was born in South Shields before moving to London as a small child. He liven in the capital until he was 17, when he returned to South Shields following the breakdown of his parents marriage. He joined the Army in April 1999 after two years in the Territorial Army. At the time of his death he was serving with 156 Provost Company, which he joined in March 2000. Cpl Long lived in barracks in Colchester which is the home of the Military Police. Today a former neighbour of Cpl Lo0ng, who used to live in Elliott Gardens, Whitleas, spoke abut the man they knew. Michell Bell,m 33 said: :He went back down to London himself and joined the Ta and then went on to become a military policeman. It is terrible he has been killed like this, especially when the main fighting is over. The real tragedy is that he has only been married a short time and has a very young son. Patricia will be absolutely devastate. She was so proud of him, she had pictures all over her walls." (Extract has a head and shoulder picture of him in No. dress>) |
Casualty Record: | |
| Date of Death: | June 24, 2003 |
| Company: | 156 PRO COY |
| CWGC Link: | 90909 |
| Cemetery: | MERSEA ROAD CEMETERY COLCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM 🇬🇧 |
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