Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

Four: Major W. H. Lang, 16th Cavalry, Indian Army, mentioned in despatches for gallantry in the battle of Ctesiphon 1915

1914-15 Star (Capt., 16/Cavy.); British War and Victory Medals (Maj.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-16, with bronze palme, all mounted in an old glazed display case with companion miniature medals, good very fine (8) £180-220

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916, 15 August 1917, 22 January 1919, and 5 June 1919.

The following extract is taken from Brigadier-General H. L. Robert’s report on operations of the 6th Cavalry Brigade between 19th November and 8th December 1915:

‘Capt. W. H. Lang - Was last to leave the Mound on 22nd November, when the Brigade retired from the northern flank of the Turkish counter-attack, safeguarding the withdrawal of the guns, and hanging on to his position to the last, with great gallantry. He is a most able squadron leader, always cool and collected under fire.’

Captain Lang commanded the squadron of 16th Cavalry which, during a retirement under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal of a section of “S” Battery R.H.A. during the Turkish counter-attack at Ctesiphon. Although his horse was shot, he remained on foot, at his post, with several other dismounted men whose horses had been killed. Only when his squadron had withdrawn did he retire himself.

Walter Hamilton Lang was born on 20 August 1884, and joined the Army in January 1904. He was transferred to the Indian Army in March 1905, and joined the 16th Cavalry shortly afterwards. By the outbreak of war he was a Captain and saw service in Mesopotamia with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He became Brevet Major in June 1917 and acted as Brigade Major from July to December 1918. Confirmed in the rank of Major in January 1919, Lang saw the amalgamation of the 13th Lancers with the 16th Cavalry, to become the 6th D.C.O. Cavalry, in 1922, in which unit he became Squadron Commander and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in 1928. He retired on 11 January 1930. Sold with detailed research.