Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 Zonnebeke operations M.M. awarded to Private G. J. A. Long, 45th Australian Infantry Battalion. Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (3177 Pte. G. J. A. Long. 45/Aust: Inf:) very fine £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For courage and devotion to duty at Zonnebeke on 12 October 1917. He was one of a party digging a communication trench during an attack on enemy trenches and when the party was withdrawn owing to very heavy casualties he remained behind and dressed the wounded. He then organised stretcher squads and got all the wounded back. His courage under fire was most marked.’

G. J. A. Long was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1894. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps in New South Wales, 10 July 1916. Having embarked for the UK in November 1916, he arrived at Devonport in January 1917. He was drafted to the 45th Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F., and served with them in the French theatre of war from March 1917.

Long was twice wounded in action, including a gunshot wound to the shoulder and right arm on 30 May 1917, and a severe gunshot wound to the left arm on another occasion. He was discharged in Australia in May 1919.