"Gyles Longley, who has died aged 96, was awarded an MC in Italy in 1943 and subsequently had a successful career in commerce. On September 16 1943, after the Allied landings at Salerno, Italy, Longley was commanding a squadron of 44th Reconnaissance Regiment (44 RR) which was holding a position south-west of Battipaglia. At dawn, they came under intense shell, mortar and machine-gun fire. His command car was riddled with bullets and was knocked out. The wireless sets were not working properly and as he ran over to contact one of the positions he saw a German taking aim at him. He dropped to the ground and the bullet missed him but a shell burst behind him wounding him in the foot. The battle raged all day. One of his armoured cars was set ablaze, killing all the crew. The enemy made determined efforts to surround the squadron but thanks to stiff resistance and the support from the Allied artillery, they withdrew before dark having taken severe losses. Longley was awarded an Immediate MC. The citation paid tribute to his courage and inspirational leadership. Oliver Gyles Longley, the son of an officer in the Honourable Artillery Company who was awarded an MC in the First World War, was born at Streatham, south London, on September 30 1918. He was educated at Tonbridge and then spent some time working in the family business at Smithfield before joining Gestetner, manufacturers of stencil duplicators, in 1936. Two years later, he joined the continental audit team and travelled on business throughout Europe. In a cinema in Berlin, he fell asleep during one of Hitler’s harangues and was awakened with a punch in the back. He was recalled to London by his company on the day that war was declared and, after returning to England, he reported to the Dorsetshire Regiment. In 1941, he was commissioned into the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11675477/Gyles-Longley-Reconnaissance-officer-obituary.html
