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12/10/2010 18:31:54
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
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As a result of a post placed on the 4 Commando panorama photo by John Martin, I thought I would create a separate message under Wartime Army Commando Individuals and copy John's comments here and add a few of my own. John stated
Some of you may have read an article in yesterday's Sunday Times about Major Geoffrey Langlands, a former soldier who for many years has run a school along English public school lines in the Hindu Kush for Pakistani boys and girls. He is now 92 and about to retire. A little research shows that this wonderful man was a section sergeant in C Troop 4 Cdo at the time of the Dieppe Raid. His section officer was Lt David Style, who was awarded the MC for his part in the action. Geoffrey was apparently able to take some photographs at Dieppe with a German Leica captured earlier at Lofoten. He is yet one more example of a former Commando soldier who achieved magnificent things in later life.
Indeed Geoffrey Langlands in WW2 was a Sergeant in C Troop No.4 Commando and is mentioned several times in Jimmy Dunning's book The Fighting Fourth. He did take part at Dieppe and before that had qualified as a climbing instructor. He put this expertise to good use whilst C Troop were based in the village of Bethesda, Snowdonia.
There is a BBC short film about him on this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8664333.stm
He was recently awarded the The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion (CMG) - For services to education in Pakistan.
He is the Founder and Principal, The Langlands School and College, Chitral, Pakistan.
This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 05/11/2017 17:17:02
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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22/10/2011 01:32:55
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4656
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I have just been sent this photo by Major Jimmy Dunning which includes Sgt Geoffrey Langlands and a few others from a section of No.4 Commando 'C' troop June 1942 Ayrshire. All are named on the photo:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/cdo++jd486.jpg.html
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/04/2013 11:43:29
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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02/04/2013 11:42:50
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4656
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Our thanks to John Martin who sends us this link to a Daily Telegraph update about Major Geoffrey Langlands and his successor at the school :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/9958980/Goodbye-to-Major-Geoffrey-Langlands-of-the-Hindu-Kush.html
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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02/04/2013 12:27:10
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Eileen
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Joined: 17/08/2012 13:26:51
Messages: 422
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What an incredible story - thank you so much for posting that.
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If I have praised my comrades too highly I make no apology, for they were beyond all praise.
Lord Lovat - No 4 Commando
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05/11/2017 13:55:33
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4656
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Major Geoffrey Langlands celebrated his 100th birthday last month.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-high-commissioner-wishes-major-langlands-happy-100th-birthday
He has a Facebook page in his honour where many of his former students praise him
https://www.facebook.com/GDLanglands/
One of his pupils was the former international cricketer Imran Khan who created a video birthday greeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0X5w9boD8c
Happy 100th birthday Sir.
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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