Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Regimental Sergeant Major S. F. Lang, Devonshire Regiment and Army Cyclist Corps, who was awrded an Immediate M.S.M. and was three times Mentioned in Despatches

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1484 C.Q.M. Sjt: S. F. Lang. 7/Corps Cyc: Bn: A.C.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (1484 W.O. Cl.1 S. F. Lang. A. Cyc. Corps.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (1484 R.S. Mjr. S. F. Lang. M.M. A.C.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5608086 W.O. Cl.II. S. F. Lang. M.M. Devon. R.) minor edge bruising and contact marks, polished and worn in parts, nearly very fine (4) £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916.

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘In recognition of valuable service rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders.’

Sidney F. Lang was born in Morchard Bishop, near Crediton, Devon in 1887, and attested in 1906 into the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Joining the VIII Divisional Cyclists, most likely as one of the 18 men from his Battalion, he served with the 7th Cyclist Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1914 (entitled to 1914 Star and Clasp). For his services during the Great War he was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 8 June 1915; 25 May 1917; and 27 December 1918); was awareded bot hthe Military Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal; and was advanced Sergeant Major on 7 June 1918.

Post-War he returned to the Devonshire Regiment with the rank of Warrant Officer Class II, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order of 30 October 1924. He died in Honiton, Devon, in 1951.

Only 219 Military Medal and ‘Immediate” Meritorious Service Medal combinations were awarded during the Great War.