Robert Douglas Longe

Robert Douglas Longe, a former CO 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment (1902–6), was ‘dug out’ of retirement in September 1916 to become the first commander of 49th Brigade, in the 16th (Irish) Division. Longe trained the brigade and deployed with it to France in December 1915, but succumbed within a few weeks to the purge of senior officers carried out by the 16th Division’s new commander, William Hickie. Longe held no more commands and died at home on 1 December 1916, shortly before his 59th birthday.