The “Marlow Remembers WW1 Association” did much to research and record the impact of World War 1 on Marlow and its residents, linked to commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of hostilities. See their website for details. One aspect still ongoing is their marking the 100th anniversary of the death of each local serviceman who lies in our district – via graveside memorial services. The penultimate one of these was held two days ago, and below is an account of Albert Langdon whose death was commemorated.
In 1900 Albert Langdon, aged 14, was living in Marlow High Street with his parents and siblings, William and Ada. He attended the Sir William Borlase School. In 1911 he was a Post Office clerk. On 9th January 1915 he enlisted in the army and was trained as an office telegraphist in the Royal Engineers. He was transferred to the 11th Signal Company on the 17th January 1915 and then embarked for the Mediterranean in July 1915 with the British Expeditionary Force moving forward to Gallipoli via Egypt.
He returned to England and joined the Signal Depot in July 1916 and later embarked for France in March 1917 serving with two Signal Companies. He finally returned England in May 1918. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British and Victory medals all of which were signed for by the father, a retired postmaster, by then living at Portlands Villas, Marlow.
Having experienced three years of war in both Egypt and the Western Front Sapper Albert Langdon deserved a better fate than to die of pneumonia at the Military Hospital, Newark on 23rd February 1919 whilst on demobilization leave, aged 32. His funeral service was held in Holy Trinity Church. Many tributes were received including those from the Old Borlasian Club and Post Office staff in Marlow and Llandudno. He was buried in the west corner of Holy Trinity Churchyard, Marlow. Albert Langdon is remembered on memorials in All Saints’ Church and Sir William Borlase School.
Exactly a hundred years after his death a graveside service, led by the Revd Sarah Fitzgerald, was held to remember Sapper Albert Langdon. It was attended by the Mayor of Marlow, Cllr Chris Funnell, Cathy Wells, President of the Old Borlasian Association, members of the Royal British Legion and of the Marlow Remembers WW1 Association together with the staff of the Chapel Hair Salon now operating in the former Holy Trinity Church.
