CULTURALLY IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN FAMILY GROUPING
Captain Ralph Longstaff M.C. painted by his father Sir John Longstaff (Sydney National Gallery)
Group of four: Military Cross G.V.R, 1914 Star & Bar, British War & Victory Medal. 1914/15 Star impressed 2070 PTE R. LONGSTAFF 28 LOND. R. BWM & VM impressed to CAPT. R. LONGSTAFF Military Cross un-named as issued.
Along with an Ivory pass token “ROYAL ACADEMY ANTIQUE SCHOOL 1768” reverse “Admitted 1st Term of 3 years, 28th Janý 1909 R. Longstaff”
Military Cross was awarded in the 1917 New Year’s Honour List which unfortunately have no citations available. Captain Longstaff was personally presented the award by the King on the 22nd January 1918 at Buckingham Palace. The Australian newspapers report his award was for Bravery in the field, Somme. Whilst serving in the 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists Rifles), attached to the 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.
Ralph grew up in Victoria the eldest son of the famous Australian Artist Sir John Longstaff and an outstanding artist in his own right. In 1908 Ralph won the “Graphic” prize for drawing amongst the various art schools in London and in 1910 he won a further award for the coronation design for public buildings.
As the two artists in the family, the bond between John and his son Ralph was unquestionably close, shown in the following article;
“John Longstaff lost one son In the war. Later on he received a War Office telegram in London announcing that another son, Ralph, was lying dangerously wounded in Rouen hospital. He himself had a military commission as a war artist, and also worked in the hospitals. He rushed across to Boulogne without waiting to obtain the necessary papers, and on the Boulogne station was arrested by a military guard. Seeing the 'train for Rouen just going out, he made a desperate dash, and risking a bullet in the back from the guard, he jumped aboard the train and got clear off. At Rouen he stood by his son's bedside. Ralph Longstaff was severely wounded, but he recovered. After the war John Longstaff painted a splendid portrait of Ralph in uniform, with the blue armband denoting a wound and hospital leave. The portrait was bought in 1921 by the Sydney National Gallery” Smith’s Weekly 18th April 1927
The above portrait of Ralph by his father was exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1921. The Argus 21st January 1922 article states “It is considered the finest work that Longstaff has done”.
Portrait of my Son (Jack Longstaff) by Sir John Longstaff .Inscribed verso 'not for public sale', this is a deeply personal image that Longstaff had painted for himself rather than for public exhibition (AWM)
Single: British War Medal impressed 2. LIEUT. J.C. LONGSTAFF. Missing 1914/15 Star & Victory Medal
2nd Lieutenant Jack Campbell Longstaff served in the 1st/5th Bn York & Lancaster Regiment, Initially enlisting as number 2553 before being commissioned 30th June 1915.
Jack was with his regiment engaged in the offensive on the Somme where he was wounded on July 3rd 1916, but continued in action. On July 7th, when leading a bombing party he was again wounded. It was from this action that he was never seen again and eventually reported as killed in action.
Medals are good to VF SOLD
