Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1172

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Cleon S. Long World War II photograph album of India, circa 1945, Ms. Coll. 1172, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

circa 1945 (inclusive)

Creator:

Long, Cleon Sylvan

Form:

Photographs and Photograph albums

Abstract:

This album consists of more than 80 photographs taken by American serviceman Cleon S. Long, as well as various ephemera, from his time in India during World War II.

Cleon Sylvan Long was born 1910 in North Dakota to Ruby Anne (Hodgson) Long and Levie Eli Long. Before enlisting in the United States Army during World War II, his civil occupation, according to his enlistment record, was "semiskilled occupation in mechanical treatments of metals (rolling, stamping, forging, pressing, etc.)" in Spokane, Washington. He enlisted as a private in 1942, and was assigned to the Branch Immaterial Warrant Officers, where he appears to have been attached to the 1582nd Ordnance Company (Supply and Maintenance, Avn) in the area of Shamshernagar, in present day Bangladesh. Upon return to Spokane, he married Inez Pierce in 1950 and worked as a machinist. He died in 1964 in Spokane, Washington.

This album is composed of over 80 photographs taken by American serviceman Cleon S. Long, as well as various ephemera, from his time in India during World War II. The photographs capture both Long and his fellow servicemen, and a few Indians he encountered. The ephemera includes Long's dog tag, a newsletter from his boat trip from India, an envelope addressed to "Cleon Stubborn Long," his motor vehicle operator's permit and some special passes and ration cards.

Due to the condition of the album, materials were removed and placed in six files. The first five folders contain photographs taken from each page of the album. The last folder is the album itself, now empty, on which a half dozen photos are attached. This last folder also contains Long's dog tag.

Many of the photographs contain detailed captions typed or hand written on the back, as if they were written specifically for someone, such as his mother. The captions are so detailed and consistently present that the overall impression is that of an illustrated diary. Long, who is in some of the photos, displays his sense of humor in many of the captions, "…In case you can't tell who is the Indian, HE IS IN THE MIDDLE…" or of a photo of him and a friend in their bathing trunks, "Rice and I were again spoiling the beauty of nature in this scene."

The bulk of the photographs include shots of military personnel in relaxed environments such as the bar, lounging in their swimwear, on boats, or exploring rural areas. Many of these photographs reflect Long and his fellow soldiers' daily life. There are some shots of soldiers working, such as the car mechanic; however, many show soldiers at a lake, probably near Shamshernagar. The collection also documents a trip to Sylhet (modern day Bangladesh) that Long seems to have taken to celebrate his 35th birthday. Many photos depict living conditions, like the housing structure where they slept (a "Basha") and the rows of bunk beds, rows of tents, against the general backdrop of India. There are a fair number of military vehicles captured in the photographs, including tanks, trucks, wreckers, red cross vehicles, and jeeps. One photograph includes a sign for the Automotive Shop. Names of fellow soldiers include: Sgt. Roland C. Brust, Lt. Mahile, Captain Preston, Sgt. Shackleton (Shack), Rice, and Laird.

Local scenery is captured with shots of rice paddies, lakes, Indians working, groups of native Indians, animals like water buffalo, Indian ferries or barges and beggar children.