The son of Herbert Long of Bury St. Edmunds, and Sophia Edith Chapman,[1] Long was educated at Banbury Grammar School and the Royal College of Music, then studied Music at Merton College, Oxford[2] from 1931 to 1934 (taking a B.Mus. in 1933, a B.A. in 1934),[1] during which period he also served as the college organist.[3] He later received an M.A. from Merton College, in 1946.[1]
His sister was the celebrated pianist, Kathleen Long.
He married Margery Edith Barnby Tustain (1910-1993) in 1932; they had two sons.[3]
Long served in the Intelligence Branch of the RAF during World War II.[3]
In Beverley he was also Music Master at Beverley Grammar School from 1947. In 1949 he applied for the vacancy at Ely Cathedral but was unsuccessful.