Libya _ Last hero of the WWII Battle of Gazala in Libya dies at age 94 *

Express

A DARING soldier who was the last man to fire on advancing German troops in one of the most important battles of the Second World War has died aged 94

  Ray Ellis, pictured with his book Once A Hussar, died aged 94 [SWNS]

Desert Rat hero Ray Ellis was the lone surviving veteran of the Battle of Gazala, which took place in the western desert of Libya, in 1942.

It was recorded as one of the most celebrated acts of bravery during the history of the Royal Artillery.

The engagement, also known as the Battle of Knightsbridge, saw the 107th South Nottinghamshire Hussars almost wiped out after three days of relentless Panzer attacks as they held the line near Tobruk.

Mr Ellis was taken to a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy but escaped and found shelter with a sympathetic family.

Ray as a soldier in the north African desert [SWNS]

You feel guilty for having survived

Ray Ellis

In 2009, Mr Ellis said: “You feel guilty for having survived.

“I found my comrade Jim Hardy lying nearby. He had been cut in two. I was in tears when I was taken prisoner.”

Mr Ellis, from Hucknall, Notts, wrote a book about the battle, Once A Hussar, and was also invited to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst to talk to recruits.