British War Medal 1914-20 : Private E J Long, 4 Battalion, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

4029 Private Edward James Long, a 22 year old labourer from Armatree, NSW, enlisted for service in the First World War at Dubbo, on 17 September 1915. His younger brother, Archie, had enlisted the previous June. After basic training near Sydney the brothers were both allocated to the 12th reinforcements of 4 Battalion AIF, with consecutive service numbers, and sailed for overseas service aboard HMAT A7 Medic on 30 December 1915. Both brothers made the decision to transfer to 1 Pioneer Battalion in March 1916, and it was while he was serving with this unit that Edward was captured by the Germans near Sailly, France, on 30 May 1916. He became a prisoner of war and was held first at Dulmen and then at a POW camp at Scheidemuhl. He was released and repatriated to England at the beginning of December 1918 and left to return to Australia on 5 March 1919. Edward's brother, Archie, transferred back to 4 Battalion some months after his capture and later died of shrapnel wounds received near Polygon Wood in 1917.

• Victory Medal : Private E J Long, 4 Battalion, AIF