Family Group Sheet
Family Group Sheet
NameChristopher Francis Drake (David) Long, GGGG Grandson
Birth1902
DeathSep 1924
EducationStudied medicine at Cambridge University.
Note 1One England’s most influential pioneers of caving. In 1923 when still a student at Cambridge University, he discovered, with J. H. Churchill, White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in Britain, situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Note 2He was responsible, in 1921, for exploring and developing Stump Cross Caverns. He organised a group of fellow students into a 168 hour digging marathon and discovered 450 m of well decorated passage. He committed suicide in Sep 1924.
Note 3His cousin Eirene Long told CAL in 1973 that CFDL was “very sad about something” (depressed?). She did not want to believe he intended to kill himself. However, depression seems unlikely in someone making great discoveries in his favourite field.
Note 4The Maudsley Hospital publishes an account of the ‘case’ of Christopher which states that he died of an overdose of chloral hydrate (normally taken for his insomnia) though the coroner chose to decide that his death was involontary.
Note 5He was admitted to the Maudsley Hospital by his friends after a suicide attempt involving chloral hydrate, though he then discharged himself in time to make his greatest caving discoveries.
Note 5The significant factor in this sad story is that Christopher was homosexual and probably involved with Churchill or another when this could have led to criminal penalties and social/familial exclusion.
FlagsDenn, Filby, Long, Poole, Sanderson
FatherDr David Sanderson (David) Long (1866-1924)
MotherIsobel Dashwood Clarke (1861-1946)