The Great War O.B.E. awarded to Major M. J. Long, Royal Artillery

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, breast badge, silver-gilt hallmarks for London 1918, privately engraved to arms of reverse ‘5th. Nov Maj. M. J. Long. R.A. 1918’, the top wearing pin further engraved ‘For services with Anti Aircraft 1916-17-18’, light polishing to gilt finish, otherwise extremely fine and most attractive engraving £120-£160

O.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918:
‘Anti-Aircraft Defences, Home Forces.’

Michael John Long was born in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, on 13 November 1853, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Shoeburyness on 13 May 1869. Raised Sergeant 15 September 1875, and transferred to the School of Gunnery the following month, he is recorded in 1891 as a Captain in the Royal Artillery and residing at Toxteth Park in Liverpool. Advanced Major in the UK, British Army Records and Lists of October 1915, he was later decorated for his work in combating the German Zeppelin and Gotha bomber raids using the world’s first integrated air defence system; in total 10 airships and 22 aircraft were brought down by the Home Forces air defences.