Long, Charles, 1841-1915 (Person)

SummaryCharles Long was born in Portsmouth, England, in 1841 and died in Auckland on 8 December 1915, aged 75 years. He joined the New Zealand Colonial Forces (1st Waikato Regiment, No. 381) in 1863 and was present at Battle at Pukehinahina. By exchange he transferred to the 3rd Waikato Regiment and, on 25 August 1864, was attached to the Imperial Commissariat at Queen’s Redoubt, Pōkeno, likely involved in supply duties. He was present at the engagements at Ōrākau, Irihanga, Whakamārama, and Ake Ake. After militia service, he transferred to the New Zealand Armed Constabulary, serving for ten years with postings in Taranaki (1878) and Kāwhia (1884) before his discharge on 18 February 1888. Following military service, Long engaged in gold-mining at Thames and Coromandel, where he was well known and highly respected. In later years he became a resident of the Auckland Veterans’ Home.

"Mr Charles Long, a resident veteran of the Veterans' Home, died in Auckland Hospital on 8 December 1915, aged 75 years. He joined the New Zealand Colonial Forces (1st Waikato Regiment) in 1863 and was present at the Gate Pā engagement. By exchange he left the 1st Waikato Regiment and joined the 3rd Waikato Regiment, being present at the engagements at Irihanga, Whakamārama, and Ake Ake. Afterwards Long transferred to the New Zealand Armed Constabulary Forces, in which he served for ten years. After leaving the force, and before joining the Veterans' Home, Mr Long was engaged in gold-mining at Thames and at Coromandel, where he was well known and highly respected. He was a native of Portsmouth, England.
Obituary Auckland Star: 1915, December 9

SourcesAuckland Star: 1915, December 9Bay of Plenty Times 2025 September 18 "War medals linked to Tauranga’s Battle of Gate Pā up for auction"Mowbray's Auction for Long's Medals

Long's New Zealand War Medals (from Mowbray collectables Auction site 2025)

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Personal Information

First Name(s)CharlesSurnameLongDate of Birth1841Place of BirthPortsmith, EnglandDate of Death8 December 1915Place of DeathAucklandOccupationSoldierArmed ConstabulatoryGold mining speculator

Military Service

Armed ForceColonial ForcesUnit3rd Regiment, Waikato MilitiaConflictNew Zealand Wars, 1845‑1872

Relates To

Other Item(s)Assailants in the Battle at Pukehinahina, 1864

Admin

AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Long, Charles, 1841-1915 (Person)