Main CPGW Record
Surname: LANG
Forename(s): John
Place of Birth: Preston, Lancashire
Service No: S/9830
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s)
Battalion / Unit: 1st Battalion
Division: 7th (Meerut) Indian Division
Age: 24
Date of Death: 1916-04-20
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 37 and 64.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: BASRA MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John Lang was the son of Joseph and Mary Lang, née Wilkinson. Both parents were born at Preston, Lancashire.
1901 Preston, Lancashire Census: 6, Cave Street - John Lang, aged 9 years, born Preston, son of Joseph and Mary Lang.
1911 Preston, Lancashire Census: 16, Oakley Street - John Lang, aged 19 years, born Preston. [John was boarding with his sister, Eliza, and brother-in-law, William Higham.]
John was married Maggie Turner in 1914.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Lang, S/9830, Seaforth Highlanders.
On 4 February 1916, because of heavy casualties, the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders was amalgamated with the 2nd Battalion Black Watch to form the Highland Battalion. On the 12 July 1916, both battalions resumed their former identity. John was killed in action whilst serving in the Highland Battalion (7th (Meerut) Indian Division).
John is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
LANG, John, aged 24, Seaforth Highlanders, formerly of Red Lion Street, [Earby], killed in action in the Persian Gulf April 20, 1916.
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Private John LANG
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 7th (Meerut) Indian Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Maggie Turner, the wife of Private John Lang
Courtesy of Shirley Lang
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
26 May 1916
LANG – April 20th, in Mesopotamia, Pte. John Lang, of the Seaforth Highlanders, formerly 56, Red Lion Street, Earby, aged 24.
26 May 1916
EARBY SOLDER KILLED IN MESOPOTAMIA
On Sunday last the death was officially reported of Pte. John Lang of the Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed in action in the Persian Gulf on Apri1 20th while taking part with the Indian Expeditionary Force in the operation for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut.
Pte. Lang was only 24 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child, living at 56, Red Lion Street, Earby. He was a native of Preston, but came to Earby about four years ago, and was employed as a weaver at Messrs. A. J. Birley’s Ltd., Albion Shed. At the outbreak of war he was in the local Territorials, but subsequently was transferred to the Seaforths and left Portsmouth early in January. In his last letter to his wife (dated April 4th), which only reached her on Tuesday, he wrote that they had just been relieved by the East Lancashires, amongst whom he had met several friends from Preston, and also one from Earby, the latter being in hospital.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
26 February 1915
A DESERTER FROM THE 2ND RESERVE BATTALION
John Lang, of Earby, was charged with deserting the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, on the 1st of March.
P.S. Fieldhouse said he received a warrant for the prisoner’s arrest, and apprehended him at 10 a.m. on Monday. Upon the warrant being read over to the prisoner, he replied, “I joined the Royal Field Artillery a few days after I deserted, and I thought I was doing all right in doing so.”
26 May 1916
EARBY SOLDIER KILLED IN MESOPOTAMIA
On Sunday last the death was officially reported of Pte. John Lang of the Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed in action in the Persian Gulf on Apri1 20th while taking part with the Indian Expeditionary Force in the operation for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut. Pte. Lang was only 24 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child, living at 56, Red Lion Street, Earby. He was a native of Preston, but came to Earby about four years ago, and was employed as a weaver at Messrs. A. J. Birley’s Ltd., Albion Shed. At the outbreak of war he was in the local Territorials, but subsequently transferred to the Seaforths and left Portsmouth early in January. In his last letter to his wife (dated April 4th), which only reached her on Tuesday, he wrote that they had just been relieved by the East Lancashires, among whom he had met several friends from Preston, and also one from Earby, the latter being in hospital.
16 June 1916
CHAPLAIN’S TRIBUTE TO AN EARBY SOLDIER
Mrs. Lang of 56, Red Lion Street, Earby, has received the following letter relating to the death of her husband, Pte. John Lang:– “1st Seaforth Highlanders, I.E.F., D., c/o India Office, London. April 21st 1916. – Dear Mrs. Lang, I regret very much that it is my duty to send you some very sad news about your husband, No. 9830 Private John Lang, of this Battalion. Your husband was killed in action in the trenches on the morning of April 20th whilst at his post in the firing line discharging his duty. He was shot right through the head and instantly killed, so at least you have the consolation of knowing he did not suffer. I buried him the same night, just behind our position, and took the service over his grave and saw him decently laid in his last resting place. Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy with you in this great loss and sorrow which have befallen you. I most earnestly trust you may be comforted and enabled to bear this very sorrowful news when it reaches you. With all kindest thoughts. – Yours very sincerely, Andrew Macfarlane (Chaplain).”
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