Willliam A Langley. Died 4 August 1916
Reading Chronicle, August 1916:
LOCAL CRICKETER’S NARROW ESCAPE
Private W. Langley, Royal Fusiliers, a well-known London Road Club cricketer, known as “Fatty,” in a letter to a friend at Embrook relates his marvellous escape from death when he was recently wounded. He says: “I have only got to thank my spoon and pay-book for not being killed. It cut my pay-book through, and my spoon was bent in two. I am keeping my spoon for a souvenir, and I shall keep my pay-book of they will let me. I saw several Wokingham boys in the hospital, all wounded, All our boys went for it like ‘Boys of the Old Brigade.’ They stepped out and charged across as if going to a church parade. It was a treat to see the way they went across”. Private Langley has a medal from the London Road C.C. awaiting his return, and has also distinguished himself in sports in France. He has won a medal for boxing, and another for flat racing. He was treated at a hospital in France. He received a severe injury to the ribs.
Name: LANGLEY, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 04/08/1916
Service No: 6195
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
82 Westcott Road, Wokingham, Berkshire
my wifes uncle died in action 10/7/1916 he was 17 years according to his service number 7625 he is at rest in st sever cemetery in Rouen ,gravere ference #a,25,7
his regiment the11th Bn royal fusiliers .
I wounder if they met ?
my wife and I just found this info and are planning a trip to see his resting places
I’m just checking through some of the trees and found a few errors in William’s family tree and will rebuild it over the next few weeks.
I’m not sure if they would have met, being in different battalions. The battalions themselves were about 900 men on average. It looks like your (wife’s) uncle may have died in the hospital which was situated in Rouen; he may have suffered an illness although the date is ominous in that he died during the first week of the Somme. Maybe you can find out more in the war diaries of the 11th Fusiliers.
I’ve been to the old front a few times, but I am sure you will find it a rewarding experience, especially if you can find out exactly where it was he was fighting.
Take care,
Mike
Both William and Albert Langley are great uncles of mine and look like both died in the wat. My great grandfather is their younger brother Edwin James Langley. I’d be interested in the family tree you have. Thanks.