| Surname: | Lang |
| Initials: | A |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 2695114 |
| Notes: | CMP. 15/2/1935 he enlisted in the Scots Guards for 4/8 years 3/1/194 he transferred to CMP. Casualty List 1041, Libya, Wounded, 5/1/1943. 5/1/1943. 22/5/1944 Discharged. Alfred Lang. Letter found in Scots Guards documents: 126309, Alfred Lang, 31 Kelvinside Gardens, Glasgow, NW. This man served as a regular with the Scots Guards between the wars on a ' 4/8 ' engagement. On release he joined the Lanarkshire Constabulary. On the outbreak of war he was re-called but in common with all Police was not embodied for three months so that 'Specials@ could be trained. On the 1/12/1939 he posted to the Corps of Military Police, Pte, 2695114 and was released in May 1944, having been blinded etc, on 5/1/1943 whilst attached to 7 Armoured Brigade. War Diary WO 169/8748, 7 Armd Div Pro Coy, In The Field, 4/1/1943 2695114, L/Cpl Laing, J seriously injured by mine (booby trip wire). Following training at St Dunstan's and later in Scotland he returned to the Police attached to the radio section at Newhouses. However he found the work uncongenial and in his state of health his nerves began to way, so he resigned. He had been totally blinded and badly shot up. At this time he was living in Leshmahagow, Lanarkshire. In 1947 he obtained a Government re-settlement grant of £150 and set up in business for himself as a wholesale confectioner. In July 1951 his premised were burnt down and compensation payable at valuation left him without a source of revenue and with a good deal of debt to clear, He did retain a Fordson '39 delivery van, not in very good condition. During the next 18th months he lived on his pension and by hard saving (plus insurance money) he cleared his debts and amassed a little capital. In 1952 he moved to his present address in Glasgow - a largish house which has seen better days, which serves as home, store and office; for some 4 months ago he reopened business and is slowly building up a new connection. As his old van was practically useless by this time, he disposed of it for almost scrap value and he has obtained a Morris 10-YJ van for which he has paid £188 down and contracted to meet the balance of £300 over 18th months. Lang is a single man, cared for by a housekeeper whose family was known to his Mother (now deceased) for many years. In addition to looking after him, this young woman keeps his papers in order, does his banking and so on. He himself types out his own correspondence. In addition he employs a man as driver salesman at a wage of £7-10-00 per week; with a bonus of 1% on turnover above £150 p.w. Lang's income is pension £2-15-00; Constant Attendance Allowance 10/-; Comforts Allowance £1-5-00; a total of £4-10-00, but through the Ministry of Pensions he has been notified that as from August the 1st he will receive from Newington House the sum of £3 p. w, paid monthly. His rent and rates amount to £67-10-00 p.a. (approx 25/- p.w); he has also to pay his housekeeper and a nominal sum for garaging his van. He has no debt, so that he seems to have budgeted well and he has a lively appreciation of the need to put money aside to meet insurance and business contingencies. He appears to be unwilling to sit back and accept his Blind Pension, but I have advised him to bank this as received and amass it to meet needs. The M.O.P. Welfare Service (ref. M2/126992) think very highly of this man. Lang explained that lacking capital all his business has to be on a strictly cash basis and while this is all right at the moment, if the business expands ( as he hopes it will), the normal trading credit will be sought and will have to be given. He claims to have built up quite a useful connection in the past four months and when he can expand a little he will start to re-develop his former territory in Lanarkshire. To allow him to add to stock he would like to have £100 to £150 behind him. Many people who start up small businesses have only hazy ideas of how to go own. Lang seems to have grasped the basic principle of progressing slowly and paying his way as he goes along. In view of the fact that he merited and obtained a Government Grant in the first instance, consideration might be given to sharing with the Corps of Military Police and/or the Scots Guards in a sum not to exceed £100. This might be used for trading purposes or to reduce the sum still outstanding on the van being used for business. 4/8/1953. Alfred Lang. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | General Service Medal 1918 (London Gazette: WO 100/503 Page: 20 Jan. 30, 1940) |
| Citation: | Clasp: Palestine, awarded as L/Cpl. Scots Guards, No. 2695114. |