Veteran of the U.S. Army
Major Langley T. Gatling, Jr. 29 [sic; 28], son of Mr. and Mrs. Langley T.
Gatling of Battery Park, was drowned April 6, 1944 in the Ascension Island
area where he was stationed according to a letter from the War Department,
April 22nd. The family had been advised previously that Major Gatling was
missing.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday by Chaplain Lewis M. Bratcher, Jr.
The hymns “The Lord is My Shepherd” and Fairest Lord Jesus” were sung by a
friend. The hymns were followed by a prayer and the reading of John 14:1-4,
Matt. 25:14-23, I Cor. 15:50-58.
The deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs. Helen Gunn Gatling, a year old
son, Langley Bretten Gatling; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Langley T. Gatling; three
brothers, Edwin G. Gatling, James V. Gatling, of Battery Park; Corporal Meade
Gatling, Italy; one sister, Mrs. Charles Amory Hampton.
Major Gatling was a graduate of Smithfield High School, V.P.I. Class of ’36,
was Editor in Chief of college paper Virginia Tech; member Pi Delta Epsilon;
Peanut Club, American Society of Civil Engineers, YMCA Cabinet, O.D.K, member
Christ Episcopal Church, Smithfield. Prior to entering the army three years
ago he was associated with Tidewater Construction Company of Norfolk. His
wife is a native of Canada.
Chaplain Bratcher wrote that Major Gatling was by far the best liked and
most admired officer of his group…1
Works Cited
1) USGenWeb, “Major Langley T. Gatling, Jr.,”:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/obits/g345l1ob.txt
Photo of Major Langley T. Gatling, Jr.