Memorial Albert Long, Genimont

Along the road is a tombstone with the inscription:

Albert LONG
5th regiment of the Dragons Portés
Died for France
on May 12, 1940
at this place "

Albert LONG was born on January 19, 1915 in Roquevaire, a small town in Provence.
In October 1936 he served for two years in the 5th Battalion of Dragons, a modern unit equipped with machine guns, motorcycles and trucks to transport troops.
As rumors of an impending war became more precise, Albert was recalled on March 20, 1939 to rejoin his unit.
In January 1940 he was given leave to marry Georgette Ravel, but immediately afterwards he had to go to war again. His new wife would never see him again ...
In May 1940, war struck hard in the Belgian provinces of Luxembourg and Namur.
The station of Jemelle was destroyed and the allies were called to their aid.
France answered positively and Albert Long was among the troops sent to these provinces.
On May 12, he was posted at the Genimont crossroads to block the main road to Beauraing and Givet. However, he was shot and his body was quickly buried in a nearby field. A death certificate was not drawn up.

A resident of Lavaux, Victor Dubois, veteran of the Great War, was moved by the lack of dignity of this hero's burial. He dug up the soldier's body and made an inventory of his personal belongings, including the identity plate.
He bought a coffin himself, dug the burial pit in the cemetery and arranged for a dignified funeral, presided over by the pastor.
With the data of the identity plate "1935 Long Albert 283 Marseille", he contacted the mayor of Marseille to ask to inform the family.
After the war, Albert Long's remains were transferred to France.

Seventy years after his death, on June 5, 2010, a memorial cross was placed in Genimont on the site of his death.
The aim was that this brave soldier would never be forgotten in the village he defended to the death.

Source: "Lieux historiques: Mémorial Albert Long - Rochefort"