Penniedarling

A letter written by Sir Henry Parks recommending my two time Great Grandfather, William Long for some position somewhere.

 

Labels: Long Family, PAD-7/2023

My brother Nick has a lot of letters written to our mum Rosie from our dad Rip starting from 1943 before they were married, Nick has lent them to me and I will put them into a book for us all and in the letter folder was this little treasure that has nothing to do with those letters....

 Rosie wrote - 

Spoon whittled out of a twig by my grandfather Samuel Alexander Long for my Grandmother Edith Christina Higgin before they were married .

The story goes that they were having a picnic and he didn't have a spoon for whatever.

Must have been around 1894.      

(they were married in 1895)

Our Great Grandfather Samuel Alexander Long, wife Edith Christina Higgin, with children from left...

Labels: Long Family

Denise YVONNE Long, my first cousin once removed.

Denise YVONNE, Sue Watson, Rosie, Pam and Patricia. 

Labels: 2/2022PAD, Long Family, Phelan Family, Rodd

David's cousin William aka Bill, at Newport celebrating his 21st Birthday and below a several years later here with daughter Patty.

Walter Drumoyne Barnstable Rodd my Great Uncle - 1881-1964

William McBeth Long another Great Uncle - 1904 - 1918.

William James Long - my 1st Cousin 3xRemoved - 1861 - 1935.
 

Labels: 2/2022PAD, Evans, Long Family, Rodd Family

Eileen Daphne Cobcroft nee Long... our beautiful Mama!  Long gone but never forgotten, such a loving caring person she was.

Also in our family we have another three Lovely 'E's - Emma, Emily and Elodie! 

... just wondering any other first letter names we have more than one of??  

David, Pennie, Nerys, Tomos, Briony, Gwilym, Tim, Kate, Jackson, Abigail, Charlie, Matilda, George, Remy and James...  

We have two 'T's in our family... and if we use Matilda's shortened name of Tilly... We have three 'T's... and of course two 'J's as well as two 'G's 😍

So who doesn't have a first letter mate...  David - Pennie - Nerys - Briony - Kate - Abigail - Charlie - Matilda and Remy ... Wow! That was a fun thing to enjoy during this Lockdown stuff.

 

Labels: 9/2021 PAD, Griffiths Family, Long Family

 Old Sea Chest which once belonged to William Long my 2xGreat Grandfather, this chest came with him to Australia back in 1856

 William Long was born in 1830 in Ardstraw, Tyrone, Ireland

Arrival

10 Oct 1856 • From Liverpool, England to Sydney, Australia.

Arrived in Australia on the 10th October 1856 on board the ship 'Vocalist'. William was 26 years old and came with brothers Samuel 24 & John 22. From County Tyrone. All three brothers could read and write.

 

Labels: 4/21PAD, Long Family

 Had to dig deep here, we do have Yardley's in our Ancestry but no photos and when I found this one... had to go here, what a lovely photo.

Mary Margaret Young - was the wife of my 3 x cousin William James Long.

Born - 26.7.1865 - Castlemaine, Victoria - Died - 28.7.1953 - Burwood, NSW - 88 years.

Married - 8.4.1885 - Sydney, NSW - William James Long - Born - 20.10.1861 - Died - 20.7.1935 - 73 years.

12 Children.

Labels: 3/21 PAD, Long Family

My first cousin once removed - 

Patricia Florence Long - Born 16.12.1925 - Mosman, NSW

Died - 4.2.1995 - Sydney, NSW - aged 70.

All Cousins  - from Left Denise Long, Susan Watson, my Mum Rosie, my Aunt Pam and Patricia Long.

 

Labels: Long Family

Alan Kelvin Long - 26.10.1900 - Parramatta, NSW - Died - 21.11.1976 - Mosman, NSW - aged 76.

Married Eva Nora Orford Martin - 13.4.-1924 - Born 8.11.1897 - Dalkey, Dublin. Ireland - Died - 14.6.1994 - Mosman, NSW - aged 96 - Having three Children.

Long Family - Alan Kelvin, Nancy, Edith, William, Samuel and Eileen our Mama.

Here's a lovely story...

Why was Alan Kelvin known to me and others as Uncle Bill?: I put this question on my personal Blog in 16.03.2009.

 Now I need help... my Great Uncle Alan Kelvin Long was always known as 'Uncle Bill', Mum doesn't know why, my first cousin once removed Sue doesn't know why but my Aunt Pamela tells me it was from a story or nursery rhyme about a little boy called 'Billy Buttons'.

Pam said she knew Alan used enjoy playing with a wooden horse on wheels... so I did a Google but the only Billy Buttons that came up were the flowers. 

Do you... Dear Readers... know of an early 1900's story or rhyme about Billy Buttons?? That same day I received this message from one of my readers... The first circus clown appeared in England in 1768 when Philip Astley created the character of "Billy Buttons". This act was based around the story of a tailor, who was also an inept horseman, as he tried to ride into town to vote in the election. The comedy act featured a lot of physical jokes, as the clown humorously exaggerated the failure of the tailor to correctly ride a horse. This particular act became a classic and variations of it were performed in circuses for 100 years. 

The following day I received this message from another reader... I've just checked my "Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes" and Billy Button was a 1904 Kidson version of Bobby Shafto (Bobby Shafto's gone to sea, silver buckles on his knee...) Also: From The Routledge dictionary of historical slang: c1840 - billy-button was a journeyman taylor (which came first, the tailor or the circus I wonder) also, rhyming slang for mutton So which version of Billy Button was he named after? More mystery....

 P.S. But enough is enough, I'm just happy knowing why Great Uncle Alan was called 'Bill'!
 

Labels: 3/21 PAD, Ancestry, Long Family

 

Labels: Long Family

 My 2 X Great Grandfather William Long, born in Ardstraw, Tyrone. Ireland in 1830 died in Paddington, NSW in 1906.  Very Proud of my Ancestor.

Labels: 9/19, Long Family

Long Family - My Great Grandmother Edith and my Great Grandfather Samuel Alexander with my Great Uncles and Aunts...  Bill, Nancy (Cranky), Max and my Grandmother Eileen behind S.A.

Labels: 8/17, Long Family

 This tray was presented to my Great Great Grandfather William Long.

Labels: 4/17, Long Family

Lt Col. Samuel Alexander Long, my Great Grandfather at the Colossus of Rameses 11, at Memphis in Cairo during WW1 with a Nursing Sister.

Labels: 7/16, Long Family

 HMAT 'Euripidies' left Sydney Harbour in November 1915 and below is the Officers Menu for Dinner on the 28.11.1915.

Very fancy and filling, I wonder what the regular Soldiers were offered!  This menu is also signed by other officers but I'm wondering what the numbers after their names mean??

 This is the 'Euripides' Mouth Organ Band. 

 And the Buglers.

 Troops disembarking from 'Euripides' at Suez 30.11.1915

 Nurses preparing to board the HMHS 'Dunluce Castle' on 7.4.1916.

 Troops going on Shore Leave in Colombo.

Port Melbourne - Motor Cars waiting to transport Returned Soldiers for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Labels: Long Family

 Just look at this boy, he was 18 when this photo was taken, just a baby.

In 1915, cousins Bert and Raymond Bishop follow in Ray's older brother Harold footsteps and join the Army, they are sent to Cairo before they head to France to fight in WW1.

My Great Grandfather Alex Long was a Captain and stationed in Cairo.

Bert survived the War and wrote this book but his cousins Harold and Ray died in battle.

An excerpt from Bert's book -  Bert is telling the story, the cousins have arrived in Cairo.

Back in our hut after church parade next morning we heard a runner calling out.  As he came nearer we got his words.
"Private R. C. Bishop!  Where the blazes is Private R. C. Bishop?"
"He's looking for you Ray, get out and see what the trouble is."
"Found you at last. You're R. C. Bishop, Ninth of the Nineteenth?  You're wanted at the orderly room."
I accompanied Ray, waiting outside.
In a moment he rejoined me.
"The C.O. quizzed me at first," he said.  "He seemed puzzled.  He made sure I was the man he wanted, even had a look at my pay book."

     It appeared a message had arrived, addressed to Ray, from Shepheard's Hotel, Cairo.  Shepheard's was headquarters for all British troops in the Cairo-Canal zone.  It was a beehive of beautifully-uniformed officers, red tabs, brass tokens of rank, glitter, shine and swank canes.  What an ordinary private could have to do with top headquarters had the C.O. puzzled.
"What do you know about Shepheard's?"
"Nothing Sir.  We saw it one day as we strolled by and knew it was no place for us."
Would you by any chance know an officer, staff, of course, stationed there?"
"I have an Uncle on General Wallack's Staff, aide-de-camp or adjutant or something.  If General Wallack is at Shepheard's  my uncle may be there also."
"What is your Uncle's name?"
"Long --- Alex Long.  He came over a week or two before us.  He was a captain back home, I think he's a major now."
"That must explain it," the C.O. said.  'A private and Shepheard's just do not dovetail at all.  Here, take the message."

     The note said, briefly:  "Meet me at gate, Shepheard's Hotel at two pip-emma. Uncle Alex."
     We reached the gate a few minutes before two.  A guard, rifle beautifully sloped, everything about him shining, full of dignity, was doing his beat to-and-fro in front of the gate.
     He took no notice of us at first, such trash as infantry privates were well below his army grading as guard at Shepheard's.
     As we loitered by the kerb he at last stopped his beat and turned to face us.
"What do you two think you are doing here? Hanging about this gate isn't allowed.  Get along, quick."
     Ray was quicker to rile than I was.
"Get along yourself.  We have an appointment for just right here at two pip-emma.  We're keeping it."
"You're not.  Now clear out at once.  Do you know that I can call out the guard and have you arrested?"
"Call out your guard, we'd enjoy being arrested at the gate of Shepheard's."
     The guard seemed taken aback.
"Who is your appointment with?  I think you're a pair of liars.  You've got ten seconds to clear out, then I call out the guard."
     Hurried footsteps were coming down the path to the gate.  Uncle Alex joined us.
"It's great to see you again," he said as he warmly shook hands with Ray, then me.  No need to ask how you are.  You both look one hundred per cent."
     Our Guard was looking foolish and embarrassed.  Uncle Alex turned to him.
"These fellows have been upsetting you?  I'm not surprised, I know them better than you do."
"I'm sorry, Sir.   I thought they were trying to put one over me."
     Ray butted in.  "Do you know Uncle, this chap was going to have us arrested , court-martialed and shot."
     Uncle laughed heartily.  He said to the guard:  "Don't apologize, you did the right thing.  It's my fault, I was a few minutes late.
     I remembered how I immediately liked Uncle Alex the first time I met him.  The guard did the same.
     We did the Zoo, the Citadel, some museum, and in between there was always something of interest to watch in the seething streets and bazaars.
     Uncle looked at his watch.  "I have to be back on duty at eight o'clock.  We've got time to enjoy a meal."
     He took us to Groppi's restaurant.  Ray and I knew Groppi's --- from the outside.  Inside was no place for non-commissioned ranks.  Like Shepheard's Hotel it was usually crammed with officers adorned with shinning brass and red tabs.  There was no notice to say so but it was generally understood that Groppi's was out of bounds to ordinary troops.
     Ray and I halted at the entrance.
"We're not allowed in here, Uncle Alex," Ray said, "This place is for heads only."
    Uncle Alex told him that rank and file men were admitted provided they were guests of top-rankers.
"There's not a non-commissioned man inside,"  I said as I looked in.
"That's good," said Uncle.  "There will be two right away.  Most of that swank and glitter in there is carried by staff officers who don't go to any war.  You two are fair dinkum men who provide the show for these chaps to ride on.  If they try to throw you two out I'm in it with you."
     We went in, finding a table to one side of the room.  Up raised eyebrows, astounded expressions, looks of sheer disbelief, were everywhere.
     Uncle quite unperturbed, saw us seated comfortably and picked up a menu.
     A waiter, a dazed look about him, took the order.
     It was a good meal, the unwelcome look of the glances all around us having no effect on our appetites.  Finishing the meal in slow motion Uncle asked us many questions.  How did we feel about the army, the war?  Were we sorry we had enlisted?  did we write home regularly? how much had we seen of Cairo? Make sure you see the Pyramids, you'll have next weekend here, make it a must, it will be your last chance.

Alex asked the boys many questions and the boys told him of all the places they had seen... one story had Alex laughing out loud...

     Uncle's chair tilted back.  He laughed so heartily that the whole crowd of customers looked towards us.
     
I caught a voice nearby saying something like --- "Those beastly Orstralians, they are quate-quate impossible. My dear chappie, they are hardly civilised bai Jove."

     I felt some embarrassment, but it disappeared completely when I caught the eyes of two of our Aussie Light-Horsemen some feet away.  They were both Captains and were enjoying the situation.  One even winked at me.

Bert and Ray made it to the Pyramids.

Below - Alex Long with (we don't know)  in Cairo.

Labels: Bishop, Books, Long Family

 Long, Samuel Alexander... my Great Grandfather in his Boer War Uniform.  Check out the head gear on the bottom left.

 Lions.

Little Lost Dog.

Labels: Babushka, Lilliput Lane, Long Family

... 'S'amuel Alexander Long was a 'S'oldier serving in the Boer War, he also served in Egypt during WW1.

Labels: 8/14, Long Family

I wonder what my Great Grandfather Samuel Alexander Long is writing in this book on this table.  Very ornate table isn't it, and a rather large ink pot as well.
My beautiful Grandmother Eileen (Mama) is standing behind 'Alex'*, the little boy leaning on the table is William McBeth, then Great Grandmother Edith, little girl on left is my Great Aunt Nancy aka 'Cranky', and Great Uncle Alan Kelvin aka 'Bill' on far left.

* The story goes that Samuel Alexander's wife to be Edith, said she would only marry him if she  could call him  'Alex', she didn't like Sam.
William McBeth was known as 'Mac'.  Mac shot himself, by accident or was it suicide? with his fathers WW1 pistol when he was only 13 years old.
Alan Kelvin was known as Bill because he used to mimic a clown called Billy Buttons.

These changes of names makes it quite difficult when one is researching family history, I knew four of these family members quite well.

Labels: 7/14, Long Family

Just recently Andrew discovered a long ago connection with our family and his wife Monica's family so they visited the National Police Museum in Canberra and found the plaque dedicated to one of our Ancestors. (see above)

Now that got me going because I remembered I had an old silver tray which was given to me by Mama, our Grandmother, so I dug it out and photographed it to show Andrew.


 It had always looked like this, I thought it was just so old and worn it was what it did look like... I don't think I ever polished it nor had anyone else for that matter but then I wondered...

 ... so got out all my old, very old bottles of Silver polish... what a horrible job, this tray isn't easy to clean, so many intricate bits!


But..

 It came up a treat didn't it!

Now to the Mystery... Check out the details on the tray!

1. The Plaque in Canberra says 'Constable' this tray says 'Sub Inspector'.
2. The name of the Plaque is Samuel, this tray says William.
3. The date on the Plaque is 19th January 1903, the date on the tray at Retirement is 1896...
4. The Plaque says Auburn, the tray says Paddington, he would have moved around of course but why Auburn when he retired at Paddington? and the Plaque is dated after his retirement maybe dated the year of his death?

So Andrew 'please explain'   :-)

Labels: Long Family