Photo: Chris Parker (left) was the RSL's representative on the Frank MacDonald Memorial Study Tour 2022 and is pictured with other members of the tour.

Valiant service in the face of enemy forces

Albert Long enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 6 July 1915 aged 34.  Prior to his enlistment he as a farm hand who lived at Evandale in Northern Tasmania at the time.  He embarked for active Service abroad on 5 August 1915.  On 10 September 1915 on his arrival at Heliopolis he was admitted to the First Auxiliary Hospital suffering from mumps.  A common infection at the time.  He was transferred around various hospitals suffering from the effects of his sickness.

On 24 November 1915 he was discharged from hospital and transferred to the 12^th Battalion AIF stationed at Tel-el-Kebir.  He was again re admitted to the 1^st casualty station on 7January 1915 suffering from mumps.  He was discharged 6 February 1915 and rejoined the 12^th Battalion at Berspaum.  He further proceeded to Alexandria.  The group then embarked for Europe disembarking at Marseilles on 5April 1915.  The group then proceeded to Lagnicourt, in France where he served as a stretcher bearer collecting wounded allied and German wounded servicemen from the battlefield.

On 7 April 1915 he admitted to the 5^th Field ambulance station suffering a gunshot wound in back. As result of his valiant service on that day he along with four other members of his detail he was awarded the military medal for valiant service at Cagnicourt as a result of his actions. Long rejoined his battalion on 13 April 1915.

On 15 April he was awarded a bar to his Military Medal, again for valiant service in the face of enemy forces.

Citation

At CAGINCOURT on April 15^th when the enemy attacked at dawn Private Long was working as a stretcher bearer, he showed great courage and devotion to duty in attending to our own and afterwards to enemy wounded under heavy enemy sniper fire during the whole attack.  He continued to work all day bringing in wounded from the most forward positions.  He was also awarded the excellent work at Boursies also.

On the evening of 19^th/20^th April 1917, he was wounded in action (2^nd time) the rear buttocks.  Due to his wounds he transferred to England being admitted to 1^st Western General Hospital Liverpool.  He remained in England for convalescence returning to Europe stationed at L’Bridge Deverill on 28December 1917.  He continued to act as a stretcher bearer with the field ambulance unit.

After periods of leave in the United Kingdom he left England for his return to Australia on the ship the SUFFOLK, and on the 5^th June he embarked Melbourne for Hobart.  He was discharged from AIF service at Hobart 14 August 1919.

After his service to the AIF returned to farming and lived a quiet life in Southern Tasmania.

Private Albert Long MM and Bar was researched for the Frank MacDonald Memorial Study Tour 2022 by Chris Parker, the RSL representative.