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L/Cpl. William Henry Langan
British Army 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment
from:Nechells, Birmingham
(d.3rd July 1916)
William Langan was my great grandfather and I have letters relating to his death at the Battle of Albert on 3rd July 1916.
The text of those letters follows:
France July 7th 1916
Dear Mrs Langan, I regret to have to inform you that your husband was wounded on July 3rd at La Boisselle. The Regiment was taking part in a successful attack on the German trenches when he was hit. The wound is not a serious one and you will probably hear from him very shortly that he is in hospital and going on nicely.
Yours Faithfully B. B. Vincent 8th Gloucesters Infantry Record Office No 7 District Warwick
July 9th 1916
Dear Mrs Langan, Just a few lines to express to you the sympathy of myself and my comrades, we were all very sorry when your husband was wounded as he was well liked and was always a good comrade. I am returning to you the letters that have come, as I did not know his address and it would be a long time before they reached him. We took the cigarettes you sent and shared them amongst the boys, as we would not send them back. I hope he is going on alright, and please ask him to drop us a card sometimes to let us know how he is going on as all the boys would like to know. Please remember us all to him.
Yours Sincerely, Cpl. D. W. Summers, Infantry Record Office No 7 District Warwick.
18th August 1916 With reference to your letter of the 17th xxxxxxxxxx asking for news of L/Cpl WH Langan. I have made enquiries everywhere but nothing definite can be found. He was hit in La Boisselle whilst one Coy (Company?) was in action on the morning of the third. His wound was clean through the left shoulder just above the left breast. This was xxxxx and he started to walk back to the dressing station with the other walking cases. Since then nothing has been heard or seen of him, however, if by any chance I manage to obtain further news I'll let you know immediately. So that Mrs Langan may not be left in suspense.
H. W. N. Edwards D. C. Coy Infantry Record Office No 7 District Warwick.
Army Form B. 104/82A. Infantry Record Office Warwick Station June 6th 1917
Sir, It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to (No.) 11257 (Rank) L/Cpl (Name) William Henry Langan (Regiment) Gloucestershire Regt. who has been missing since July 3rd 1916, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 3rd July 1916 (or since). I am to express to you the sympathy of the Army Council with you in your loss. Any articles of private property left by missing soldiers which are found are forwarded to this Office, but they cannot be disposed of until authority is received from the War Office. Application regarding the disposal of any such personal effects, or of any amount that may eventually be found to be due to the late soldier's estate, should be addressed to The Secretary, War Office, London, S.W. and marked outside, Effects. I am, SIR, Your obedient Servant,
W. Gaunt Lieut. for Br. General, i/c Infantry Records, No. 7 DISTRICT. Officer in Charge of Records.
SUBJECT: Graves Old Barracks, Warwick 19 DEC 1917
From The Brigadier General In Charge, Infantry Records, No. 7 District.
Mrs E. Langan 3 back of 89, Cromwell St. Nechells Birmingham
I beg to inform you of the following particulars of the place of interment of the remains of the late No. 11257 W. H. Langan Gloucestershire Regt. who was killed in action with the Expeditionary Force, France on or since 3rd of July 1916 Buried La Boiselle. N.E. Albert W. Farmfield For Brigadier General, i/c Infantry Records, No 7 District.
