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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 608

(x) A remarkable campaign pair awarded to Commander T. M. Lang, Royal Naval Reserve the master of the Hospital Ship Guildford Castle when she was struck by a torpedo in March 1918

British War and Mercantile Marine Medals (Thomas M. Lang), sold together with their box of issue, good very fine (2)

Thomas Martin Lang was born at Glasgow on 7 January 1864 and was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve on 20 March 1892 with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant. At the time he was living in Glasgow and working for the J.B. Smith Company of Liverpool as 4th Mate, somewhat oddly given that he had gained the certification to work as 2nd Mate on 4 February 1888 and ship's Master on 23 October 1891.

Remaining with the Merchant Navy Lang changed lines in 1898, joining the Currie Line which he remained with until his promotion to Lieutenant on 9 May 1908 while serving as 1st Mate of Galacian Castle. He was serving as Master of the cargo ship Aros Castle at South Africa on the outbreak of the Great War. He is listed in his service papers as in command of the Cluny Castle in April 1916 stationed at St. Helena although it should be noted he does not appear on the list of ships commanders.

Further promoted Lieutenant-Command on 7 May 1916 he was posted to Command the Hospital Ship Guildford Castle around the same time. This vessel had been serving in East Africa for much of the war, treating the high volume of sick during the campaign.

They were just coming into port at Avonmouth 10 March 1918 when, despite being a clearly marked Hospital ship, Guildford Castle was targeted by a U-Boat. An article in The Time on 30 April 1918 describes the event, stating:

'An official inquiry into the circumstances of the attack shows that two torpedoes were fired at the Guildford Castle. The track of the first was seen by the master, Captain Thomas Martin Lang, R.N.R., the fourth officer and several members of the crew, who state that it passed close to the ship's stern from port to starboard. The fourth officer observed the torpedo track for a distance of three cables (600 yards). A minute afterwards a second torpedo struck the ship a heavy, sharp blow on the port side abreast of the mainmast, causing her to vibrate considerably fore and aft. Happily the torpedo did not explode. The discipline on board the ship was excellent. There was no panic, and the patients were got to the boats very quickly.'

Still in command of the Guildford Castle after the war, Lang continued to serve at sea until 1936. He died on 28 March 1937; sold together with a C.D. of copied research including service papers, M.I.C. and newspaper cuttings as well as copied London Gazette extracts.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£500

Starting price
£80