The Airmen's Stories - P/O G A Langley

Gerald Archibald Langley was born on 29th July 1916 in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, the son of Archibald Frank Martin Langley (1885-1967) and Mary Elizabeth Langley (nee Amos 1885-1959).

He was educated at Wolverton Grammar School.

In 1936 the family moved to Northampton and he went to work for the Prudential Assurance Company.

He joined the RAFVR in March 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September he went to 6 FTS Little Rissington for No.17 Course, which ran from 9th December 1939 to 17th June 1940.

The day after completing this course Gerald was commissioned and on the very same day he was posted direct to 41 Squadron at Catterick.

On 11th September Langley was shot down by return fire from a Ju88 over Sevenoaks, in Spitfire X4325. He baled out, unhurt.

On 15th September Langley was shot down and killed in combat with Me109s. His Spitfire P9324 is believed to have come down at Wick House, Bulphan.

Langley was 24 and is buried at St Peter & Paul churchyard, Abington, Northampton.