Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War C.M.G. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Long, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, rev. centre slightly depressed; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Lushai 1889-92 (2d Lieut., 4th Bn. K. Rl. Rif. Corps); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, Orange Free State, Cape Colony (Captain, K.R.R.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt., K.R.R.C.); 1914-15 Star (Major, K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.); Delhi Durbar 1911, unnamed, mounted for wear, first three medals with some contact marks, nearly very fine and better (8) £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 60th Rifles and King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

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Wilfred James ‘Linger’ Long was born in 1871, the son of Rear-Admiral Samuel Long. He was educated at Winchester. Commissioned into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, he served in the Burmese Expedition of 1891-92, including operations in the Chin Hills with the Lushai column (One company of the 4th Battalion K.R.R.C. present). As a Captain he saw fighting in the Second Boer War, being present in the relief of Ladysmith, the actions at Tugela Heights, Pieter’s Hill, Laing’s Nek, Belfast and Lydenberg. For his services he was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901, 29 July 1902) and awarded the Queen’s medal with six clasps and the King’s medal with two. In the Great War, he commanded the 3rd Battalion K.R.R.C. in Salonika, for which, in 1916, he was awarded the C.M.G. In June 1918 he was placed in command of the 1st Battalion in France, and on 23 June he suffered from the effects of a gas attack at Quesnoy Farm. For his services during the war he was three times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 22 Jue 1915, 1 January 1916, 21 July 1917) and received the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was placed on Retired Pay in 1920. Latterly living at Maytree, Josephine Avenue, Lower Kingswood, Surrey; he died on 24 May 1954.

In an obituary, a brother officer wrote, ‘“Linger” was a sound and practical soldier. He was never afraid of expressing his opinion, however unpopular, preferably to those in authority over him; and he was usually right. He was never very particular about his appearance or dress, which was rarely according to regulations. ....”Linger” played no games, never shot, rode very seldom, never seemed particularly genial, yet was always extremely popular, especially with us younger officers. ...’

Sold with copied research including several extracts written by Long for the K.R.R.C. Chronicle.