William Anthony Langsdale

William Anthony was born 6th April 1897 in Nottingham and was the eldest son of Dennis William a lace manufacturer and Eliza Jane Langsdale née Anthony of 51 Sandon Street New Basford,Nottingham. His father was born in 1872 in Nottingham (St Saviours) and his mother in 1871 in Basford, they were married in Nottingham in 1896 and went on to have 6 children who were : - William Anthony b1898 St Saviours, Nottm, Eva May b1899 St Saviours, Nottm , Donald Abbott b1900 St Saviours, Nottm, Given Page b 1903 Hyson Green, Hilda Kirk b1904 Hyson Green and Dennis Mark b1909 New Basford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 51 Sandon Street, New Basford and are shown as Dennis William 39 yrs a manager at a lace finisher, head of the family he is living with his wife Eliza Jane 40 yrs and their children William Anthony 13 yrs a scholar, Eva May 12 yrs a scholar, Donald Abbott 11 yrs a scholar, Given Page 8 yrs a scholar, Hilda Kirk 7 yrs a scholar, and Dennis Mark 2 YRS His probate , proven on 16th January 1920 in Nottingham , shows him as William Anthony Langsdale, 51 Sandon Street, New Basford, Second Lieutenant in H M Army died 22nd March 1918 in France, his effects of £107 3shillings and 5 pence were awarded to his father Dennis William Langsdale a lace manufacturer.

Sgt. William Anthony Langsdale, 26th (Bankers) Battalion Royal Fusiliers, had been awarded the Military Medal, probably for his conduct on at Ligny Thilloy early in 1916. He landed in France on 4th May 1916 and was Commissioned in the field and gazetted on 19th February 1917. He was killed in action whilst serving with 12th (Pioneer) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment on 22nd March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

De Ruvignys Roll of Honour 1914- 1919 gives the following account of his life :- He was the eldest son of Dennis William Langsdale of 51 Sandon Street, New Basford, Nottingham, a lace manufacturer of 11 Castle Gate Nottingham by his wife Elizabeth Jane daughter of the late William Anthony. He was born in Nottingham 0n 6th April 1897 and was educated at High Pavement secondary school in Nottingham. He was a clerk in the Nottingham and Notts Bank and joined the 26th (Bankers ) battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He served with the British Expeditionary Force from 5th May 1916 and saw much fighting on the Somme in September and at Ligny Thilloy on 7/8th October 1916, the Royal Fusiliers lost heavily, as senior NCO Langsdale carried on for 50 hours, his officers having fallen. He was given a commission in the field and gazetted Second Lieutenant on 19th February 1917. He was killed in action near Villechollis North West of St Quinton on 22nd March 1918. His commanding officer stated "He was a very promising youngster and had done some very good work. " he was mentioned in despatches on several occasions for gallantry and distinguished services in the field. He was awarded the Military Medal for his work at Ligny Thilloy early in 1916. The award of his Military Medal was published in the 'Nottingham Evening Post' on 2nd February 1917:- “NOTTINGHAM BANK CLERK'S GALLANTRY. “Sergt. W. Anthony Langsdale, of the Royal Fusiliers, who has been awarded the Military Medal in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, is a son of Mr. D. W. Langsdale, lace manufacturer, of 51, Sandon-street, New Basford, and is only 19 years of age. He was previously engaged in the Coalville branch of the Nottingham and Notts. Bank, and enlisted in September, 1915. He was congratulated by the O.C. [officer commanding] upon “his gallantry during an attack on the German lines, and in assuming command when his officers became casualties.” In memoriam published 22nd March 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “LANGSDALE. – In loving memory of Second Lieut. W. Anthony Langsdale, 12th Batt. Sherwood Foresters, who fell in action, France, March 22nd, 1918.” Above articles courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.