Lang, Archibald 1566 (1892 - 1916)

Sergeant, 17th Bn. Highland Light Infantry

Buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen

Commemorated at City of Glasgow Roll of Honour at Glasgow City Chambers

Sergeant Archie Lang eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Lang, 49 Polwarth Gardens, Hyndland, was in his twenty-fourth year when he received his death-wound in the memorable assault on the German lines on 1st July 1916. His connection with Hillhead High School began in his childhood, and may be said to have ended only with life. Just a few days before the great advance of 1st July he was one of the 'band of brothers' who met in the Hotel Moderne in Picardy to commemorate their schooldays and to do honour to one of their number, Sergeant-Major Steven Reith, who had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).

The artistic menu card of that occasion, which has been reproduced in facsimile, was Sergeant Lang's work, and will be treasured by the School as a precious memorial of a unique occasion. At School he took a good place in his classes and a leading part in athletics and games. He was an enthusiastic Cadet, and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Corps. On leaving School he joined the Former Pupils Rugby team, and for years was a prominent figure in it. When war began he was training as a Naval Architect in the Leven Shipbuilding Yard, and had just passed his final course at the Technical College, taking the first place in the examination.

He might have sheltered behind his scheduled occupation, but that was not Archie Lang's way. He was one of the first to join the Chamber of Commerce Battalion, in which he speedily rose to the rank of sergeant, gaining the admiration of his officers and the confidence of his men. His friend and comrade Sergeant-Major Reith, of the same battalion, writes,

"During the big advance on 1st July, he went on at least once after being hit. Later in the day he was brought in badly wounded in several places. He was, however, expected to recover, but succumbed to his wounds on 28th July, and I lost my closest friend."

Thus died a very gallant gentleman.

Reproduced with permission from the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-intro/