Robert Sydney Longthorp was born in April 1890 in Hull, Yorkshire. He married Elsie Lydia Waddle in 1915 in Victoria. A sturdy defender for Northumberland and Durham, he played in the 1914 Dockerty Cup Final.
Private Longthorp went into camp in July and embarked on 10 November 1915. He was decorated with a Military Medal in 1918: “During the Operations at NAUROY on 30th September 1918. This N.C.O. was a Platoon Sergeant and on the afternoon of 30th September his Platoon was ordered to advance their position. he greatly assisted in the preparation for this advance as the Platoon was scattered in shell-holes and close up to the enemy in a very exposed position. He was first out and led the Platoon forward and when the Sunken Road was reached he at once took command as the Platoon Commander was hit, and organised the position. By his vigorous and well controlled fire he prevented the enemy counter-attacking, after a great number had moved down, from the SUGAR FACTORY and formed up in front of his Platoon. He held this position until ordered to retire some hours later, although his flanks were absolutely exposed and he could get no help from flanking Units. When the Platoon retired he again organised their position. Throughout the day he set an admirable example to his men and carried out a very difficult operation.”
This record did not prevent his subsequent punishment for AWL in 1919 before returning to Australia 19 June 1919.
He resumed playing for the club almost immediately and played for “England” in the early 1920s. He died on 8 February 1951 at the age of 60.