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Harold Edward Long - Information

Harold Edward was born and raised in Campbelltown. When Harold was older, his parents, John and Augusta, moved the family to the city, where they resided at 74 Queen St in Auburn. Harold was working as a tram driver, when he decided to follow his younger brother, Cyril, and enlist in the AIF. Harold signed up on the 12th of November 1914 in Liverpool, when he was 27 years old. He spent a lengthy period training in camp before he was shipped overseas for war service. He departed Sydney as a Signaller with the Light Horse on the 13th of June 1915 onboard the HMAT Suevic.

The Suevic arrived in Egypt in July. The following month, Harold joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli. The horrendous conditions and winter cold impacted Harold’s health. He was admitted to hospital with debility in November. By the new year, he was feeling better and returned to his unit in Egypt. In February, Harold was transferred to the 12th Light Horse at Gezira. Harold worked tirelessly throughout 1916, completing patrols into the Sinai Desert. Harold proved to be a capable soldier and on the 25th of June 1916, was promoted to Lance Corporal. However, 1917 proved to be a troublesome year for Harold. The intense fighting, dreadful heat, dust, flies and thirst proved too much. He went absent without leave in January, before serving in operations during the Second Battle of Gaza. He was then charged with neglecting his duty and insolence in July. The following month, Harold was given a reprieve going to Port Said Rest Camp. After Gaza fell, operations moved further into Palestine, the Jordan Valley and into Syria with High Command determined to capture Damascus. The Turks then surrendered on the 30th of October 1918. Harold remained with his unit before beginning his journey home on the 15th of March 1919.