Elizabeth Rust: Threads of Memory (2015)

DescriptionStephanie Smith interviewed Elizabeth Rust about relative Robert Long on 23 April 2015. The interview was part of the library's "Threads of Memory" project in 2015, where relatives talked about their First World War family members.

The interview is available below, along with some photographs and other archive material she bought in on the day.

Robert "Bob" Long was born in Ireland. During World War I he served with the R.A.M.C 16th Division (Regimental Number RAMC 42815). Bob was born on October 21 1894, in Tallaght near Dublin, Ireland. In his diaries he refers to his birthday as being in November. This was a misunderstanding he had throughout his life.

He joined the 32nd Field Ambulance, (Royal Army Medical Corps, 16th Division, No. 42815), in 1914. He left England on July 14 1915 on board the "Canada". He was captured in August 1915 at Suvla Bay, Dardanelles. He was two months off turning 21 when he was captured. He was Prisoner No. 284.

He met several ANZAC soldiers during his years as a POW and this was, perhaps, what influenced him emigrate to New Zealand after the war.

Photographs

Robert Long wedding

Robert Long row boat

Robert Long Postcard 2

Robert Long post WWI

Robert Long Hawkes Bay earthquake 1932

Robert Long and family

Grandad Robert Long

The diaries of Robert Long

Robert Long WWI photocopy

Postcard belonging to Robert Long

Archive Items

Robert (Bob) Long diary sketch of Suvla Bay

Bob Long, Gallipoli, Will 17-8-1915

Stories - People

The POW diary of Robert Long (1894-1961)

Elizabeth Rust: Threads of Memory (2015)

Location

LocationTauranga City Library

Usage

Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.LicenseCC BY-NC

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Elizabeth Rust: Threads of Memory (2015)