Reading Out Loud
Focused Elements:
You can have these explanations read out loud by clicking on 'Speak Explanation' (access key 'a')
These controls are to provide alternative means of accessing the information on this page. Two main facilities are provided: adjusting the text size and listening to the text on the page.
1) Adjusting Text Size:
You can increase the text size by clicking on 'Larger' (access key '+'), and reduce it by clicking on 'Smaller' (access key '-'). You can reset the size back to its original value by clicking on 'Reset' (access key 'j')
2) Listening to the Text
You can adjust the pitch of the spoken word, the rate or speed of delivery and the volume. You can also choose the voice to use by clicking on the drop-down list. The default voice is whatever is the standard for the computer and browser you are using.
To set your default, please refer to the description in the Accessibility Statement.
There are normally three sections of text on the page that you can listen to: the headings, the main text and a selection. Click on 'Speak Headings to speak the page headings (access key 'l'). Click on 'Speak Main Text' (access key 'q') to listen to the main text.
You can also select an area of text in the page using standard select methods and click on 'Speak Selection' (access key 'w') to read the selection aloud.
You can enable the reading out loud of the element that currently has focus by clicking on 'Start Focus Speaking' (access key 'f') and you can stop this by clicking on 'Stop Focus Speaking' (access key 'd').
You can pause the audio by clicking on 'Pause' (access key 'r') and resume by clicking on 'Resume' (access key 't').
To cancel or stop the audio click on 'Cancel' (access key 'y'). To restart the current audio from the beginning, click on 'Restart' (access key 'k').
To hide the accessibility controls click on 'Hide Panel' (access key 'h')
To hide this explanation click on 'Hide Explanation' (access key 'x')
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
George Lang in WW2
Back to the Royal Navy Front Sheet
George Lang
Born in Buckland in the Moor on 23rd August 1916.
Father John Jeffery Lang, Mother Susan A Stevens
Two younger siblings Sidney, and Jessie.
George attended Ashburton School, and after leaving school, worked as a carpenter on the Whitley estate at Buckland. Upon reaching the age of 18 (in 1934) George joined the Royal Navy and was classified as a joiner (carpentry).
In 1937/38 George was posted to the crew of HMS Glorious, a Cruiser converted into an aircraft carrier in 1930. Prior to the declaration of War in 1939 Glorious sailed principally in the Eastern Mediterranean. Following Germany’s invasion of Norway in April 1940 HMS Glorious was recalled to “Home” fleet operations.
In June 1940 HMS Glorious participated in the evacuation of Troops and RAF Aircraft from the coast of Norway. The task was completed by 8th June and HMS Glorious was permitted to sail back to the UK independently of the main convoy. She was accompanied by destroyers HMS Ardent and HMS Acasta.
Unbeknownst to the British, German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were also patrolling off the Norwegian coast. They both attacked the British ships at 1500 hours and by 18.20, despite heroic defence by both destroyers all three British ships were sunk.
A total of 1591 lives were lost. 41 sailors did survive, located after three days by Norwegian trawlers.
George Lang was one of the 1591 men killed.
George is commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial, in Buckland Church and in the churchyard. He is also included in the memorial to all those lost at St Peter Martindale in the Lake District.
Watch the Video of The Sinking of HMS Glorious: An Avoidable Tragedy?
The main area of interest is the first 6 minutes and 8 seconds.
George Lang in Pictures
Click on an image for a larger view
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments are shown alongside each photograph above.
The information on this page was last modified on August 27 2020 16:09:53.