TRIBUTES have been paid to Adrian John Langley, formerly of Leamington, who died aged 76 at the end of January at his home in Burgh Le Marsh in Lincolnshire.
Ex-RAF Sergeant Langley was the oldest son of Dennis and Mary Langley, originally from Clapham Street. They ran Clapham Stores in Clapham Terrace during the 1960s and Dennis was a Lay Reader at nearby St Mary’s Church for more than 40 years
A former pupil at Clapham Terrace School, then Leamington Boys College, he was active in Cubs and Scouts at St Mary’s Church, and attended the 1958 International Amikaro in Priory Park, Warwick, aged 14. He joined the RAF at age 16, and was posted to Gaydon after initial training. He was one of those on duty at Combrook, when of Gaydon’s seven Victor fighter bombers crashed shortly after take-off in October 1962.
In his younger days, he played for several local sports teams, including Leamington Lilly Whites Cricket Team. He went on to represent the RAF in cricket wherever he was posted.
He met his wife, Pauline Hill, on a blind date through the St Mary’s Teen and Twenty Club, with best friend George Quantrill and girlfriend Linda. Both couples ended up getting married. The Quantrill’s celebrated 47 years, and Adrian and Pauline would have been married 54 years in March. Pauline’s parents ran the Honiley Boot Inn and then the Dun Cow at Warwick.
The couple travelled the world with the RAF, including postings to Singapore, Germany, The Maldives, and various locations around the UK. Adrian received The Queen’s Commendations for his service.
After retiring from the Air Force, they owned a shop in Nottingham but eventually settled in Skegness, running the Avon Guest House. Adrian suffered a serious heart attack in 2003 and was forced to sell the guest house. They retired to Burgh Le Marsh (their 36th house) and became heavily involved in village life as volunteers – running the community windmill and cafe, working at Skegness Lifeboat Shop, helping at Gibraltar Point Wildlife Sanctuary, driving elderly people to medical appointments, resurrecting and running the village carnival.
Adrian’s brother, Howard, was formerly the Functions Manager at the Royal Spa Centre, but died some years ago in his mid-50’s. The youngest brother, Trevor, retired local primary teacher and then a teacher of deaf children, still lives locally and is active in the community.
Adrian and Pauline had several foster children and four adopted children who now live all around the country. His funeral service is on Friday February 28 in Lincolnshire, and his ashes are to be taken out to sea by Skegness Lifeboat.
