Langmuir, John William

Colonel John William Langmuir, MBE was born in Toronto, September 15, 1891, son of Archibald David Langmuir and Margaret Ince. His grandfather John Woodburn Langmuir had served with the 16th Battalion during the Fenian Raids of 1866. A younger brother, Gavin Ince Langmuir served with the 15th Battalion, CEF during the First World War and died during the 2nd Battle of Ypres in 1915.

On June 5, 1918, John married Ester Lee Comstock in Leeds, Ontario. They had at least one child.

He died in 1956 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Brockville, Ontario.

Service Record

October 14, 1914 – Enlisted a s rifleman in “E” Company, 2nd Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada having previously served in the Trinity College School Cadets
October 21, 1914 – Appointed Provisional Lieutenant
March 5, 1915 – Seconded for services in the Canadian Expeditionary Force with the Eaton Armoured Car Battery.
February 8, 1916 – Qualified for pilots license on the Maurice Farman Biplane at the Military School, Birmingham
March 26, 1917 – Transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and served in France
May 12 to September 2 1916 – served with served in 4 Squadron until he was admitted to hospital
August 23, 1917 – Promoted Captain
May 31, 1919 – Transferred to Reserve of Officers, CEF
June 3, 1919 – Created a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
October 1, 1920 – Transferred to active list on reorganization of the Canadian Militia and appointed to command “A” Company, QOR with the rank of Major
June 1, 1921 – Appointed Regimental Adjutant
April 1, 1925 – Appointed Second in Command, 2nd Battalion
September 28, 1928 – Appointed to Command 2nd Battalion and promoted Lieutenant Colonel
April 14, 1930 – Appointed to Command Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
April 15, 1932 – Awarded Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Decoration
November 8, 1933 – Promoted to Colonel
Tenure of Command extended to April 13, 1935
May 6, 1935 – Awarded King’s Silver Jubilee medal (George V)
1937 – Awarded Coronation Medal George VI