Commander R. B. M. Long

Dies In Sydney

Commander Rupert Basil Michel Long, OBE, Australia’s wartime Director of Naval Intelligence, and the man who directed the famous Coastwatchers, died in Sydney on January 8, aged 60. He had been ill for some time. He had begun work in building up the Coastwatching or ganisation before the war, with little funds or recognition. With the war, and with the help of Lieut.-Com. Eric Feldt, who was appointed to a key position in Port Moresby to direct the Islands chain, the work went ahead swiftly with amazing success. The Coastwatchers, working with radios behind enemy territory, helped turn the tide.

Commander Long retired from the Navy in 1945 and became a consulting engineer. He is survived by Mrs.

Frances Long, a son Peter, a daughter Valerie, and two step-children, Robert and Walter.