Leonard Victor Longney

1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45

Regimental Number 103457

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

27 August 1922 – 13 June 1944

Len was born on 27 August 1922 to William and Sarah Jane Longney of Thornhill. Edith (wife of Fred Turner) and Betty (wife of Bill Larke) were his older siblings. Len attended school in Thornhill and then boarded at St. John’s College in Winnipeg for his Grade 12. He enjoyed his early days on the farm and at age 16, he won the Championship Cup for the highest quality sample of wheat at the Manitoba Provincial Seed Fair in Winnipeg.

Len lived on the family farm near Thornhill until he enlisted with the P.P.C.L.I. on 20 November 1942 and went overseas in August 1943. After being in England a few months he went on to North Africa and then Italy. The last letter his mother received was dated 20 May 1944. In that letter he says “Did I tell you that Sam Southworth was in our company? Sam has left again to join the machine gun platoon.”

On 23 May 1944 (the day that the Canadian Forces breached the formidable Adolf Hitler Line) Len was wounded in action at Cassino, Italy. He lay on the battlefield for 8 hours in the heat of the day before he was attended to, and then transferred to the field hospital for treatment and surgery. His parents were advised by cable that he was dangerously ill. Several similar cables were received until they were advised 21 days later, that he had succumbed to his wounds. He passed away on 13 June 1944, at the age of 21.

Len is one of many veterans who have a geographical feature named after them recognizing the contribution they made to their country. Longney Lake, in Manitoba (Lat. 58 20’; Long.100 40’) was named on 10 April 1972.

Len is laid to rest in the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.

Rest in Peace Len.

Information provided by Joan (Larke) Sawatzky and Jim Larke, niece and nephew.