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Sandy Gall

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Sandy Gall
CMG CBE
Born
Henderson Alexander Gall

(1927-10-01) 1 October 1927 (age 97)
Penang, Straits Settlements
Alma materUniversity of Aberdeen
Occupation(s)Journalist, author, news presenter
Years active1953–present
Employer(s)ITN (1963–1992)
LBC (2003–present)
Spouse
Eleanor Smyth
​
​
(m. 1958; died 2018)​
Children4; Carlotta

Henderson Alexander Gall, CMG, CBE (born 1 October 1927) is a Scottish journalist, author, and former Independent Television News (ITN) news presenter whose career as a journalist has spanned more than 50 years. He began his career in journalism as a sub-editor at the Aberdeen Press and Journal in 1952 and became a foreign correspondent for the Reuters international news agency from 1953 to 1963. Gall joined ITN as a foreign reporter and troubleshooter in 1963, and also worked as a newscaster on News at Ten between 1970 and 1991. He was the Rector of the University of Aberdeen from 1978 to 1981 and founded the Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal charity with his wife in 1986.

Life and career

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Gall was born as the only child of Scottish parents on 1 October 1927,[1][2] on a rubber plantation in Penang, Straits Settlements (present-day Malaysia), where his father Henderson was a rubber planter.[2][3][4] His mother, Jean (née Begg), was a homemaker.[4] When he was four years old,[5] Gall was sent away to be educated in Scotland at Trinity College (Glenalmond College), a boys' independent school in Glenalmond in Perth and Kinross, where he boarded.[6][7] He did his national service working as a physical training instructor in the Royal Air Force in Berlin for two and a half years.[5][7][8] Gall graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1952 with a Master of Arts degree in French and German.[4][8]

In 1952, he began his journalistic career as a trainee sub-editor at the Aberdeen Press and Journal.[5][9][10] Gall applied to work as a trainee foreign correspondent for the Reuters international news agency and this was accepted in May 1953.[5][7][11] He remained at the agency until 1963.[4] Gall covered events in the Congo, East Africa, Germany, Hungary and South Africa.[12] In September 1960, he, the BBC's Richard Williams and the Daily Express's George Gale were arrested in Bakwanga in the breakaway province of Kasai whilst reporting on the Congo Crisis as a Belgian spy and for not having official Congolese documentation.[7][13][14] The three journalists were ordered released into the custody of Tunisian soldiers.[14]

Gall joined Independent Television News (ITN) in 1963 as a foreign reporter and troubleshooter,[8] working in Afghanistan, Africa, China, the Far East, the Middle East and Vietnam.[12] and began working as a newsreader on the News at Ten in 1970.[12] In 1972, he was arrested in Uganda on the orders of dictator Idi Amin.[8][15] Gall was the presenter of the Thames Television programme A Place in Europe from 1975 to 1977.[16][17] and of the programme Freeze in 1975, examining the aspects of freezers and the foods to store in them.[18] In January 1976, he and a camera operator were briefly detained by the police in Madrid after filming outside a strike-affected Chrysler car factory.[19] Gall narrated the ITV documentary Journey's End on the Vietnamese boat people who had settled at the Thorney Island camp near Portsmouth in 1980.[20]

He reported on the 1980 United States presidential election from the American Embassy in London,[21] and the Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer from Knightsbridge Barracks in July 1981.[22] In November 1982, he presented the one-hour documentary Afghanistan: Behind Enemy Lines that took two months to produce as he and a film crew covered the inside the Soviet Union-occupied Afghanistan.[23][24] Gall was the subject of This is Your Life on 30 March 1983.[25] The following year, he was a contestant on the Channel 4 travel-based quiz programme Where in the World.[26][27] Gall reported on the Soviet–Afghan War in the documentary Allah Against the Gunships that was broadcast that October.[28][29]

He was a team captain on the quiz show Television Scrabble in 1985.[30] In the year after, Gall narrated an ITN programme on Sarah, Duchess of York entitled A Royal Romance,[31] and spent three months filming the documentary Afghanistan; Agony of a Nation that was broadcast in November 1986 because he believed the Soviet-Afghan war was not being reported on correctly.[32] In 1988, he participated in BBC2's International Pro-Celebrity Golf competition,[33] and in the following year, presented the 1989 ITV documentary George Adamson: Lord of the Lions in which he interviewed the conservationist George Adamson.[34]

Gall made his final appearance as a newsreader on News at Ten on 4 January 1991;[35] he returned to a special reporting role in the same month, covering Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East and Pakistan.[36] He made the decision to retire from ITN in late 1992.[4][37] He has continued working in a freelance capacity in television and writing since 1993.[1] In 1995, Gall wrote and presented the ITV documentary Network First: The Man Who Saved the Animals that profiled the conservationist Richard Leakey.[38] That same year, he signed up to present the BBC Radio 4 travel programme Breakaway,[15] and the following year, he presented the BBC2 programme The Empty Quarter in which he toured the world's largest sand desert, the Rub' al Khali.[39][40]

In late 2002, Gall was signed by Channel 5 to present a week of special four-minute reports from Afghanistan on attempts to restore the Buddhas of Bamiyan that were destroyed by the Taliban.[41] He presented a documentary examining the history of Afghanistan from Alexander the Great to the Taliban in the 2004 History Channel documentary Afghanistan: War Without End.[42][43] Gall was the rector of the University of Aberdeen from 1978 to 1981,[4] and in 1986, he and his wife founded Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal charity to assist in the training of Afghan officials in the provision of artificial limbs and physiotherapy treatment to children and other Afghan civil war victims.[44][45] He became the World Affairs Expert on the London-based LBC radio station in January 2003.[46]

Personal life

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He met the Foreign Office employee Eleanor Smyth in Budapest in 1956 while he was reporting on the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.[4][47] They were married from 29 August 1958 to her death on 9 September 2018.[4][48] They had four children,[4][12] one of whom, Carlotta, is also a journalist.[49] They separated after he had a two-year affair with a younger woman but they later reconciled.[50] In June 1972, Gall was injured in a car accident in Bromley, Kent and suffered facial cuts because he fell asleep while driving.[51][52] He was fined £25 plus £1 costs.[52]

Awards

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In 1981, he was made an honorary Doctor of Law by the University of Aberdeen.[4] Gall was awarded the Sitara-e-Pakistan in 1985 and the Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal in 1986.[53] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987.[54] He was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to the people of Afghanistan.[55]

Bibliography

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  • Afghan Napoleon. The Life of Ahmad Shah Massoud (2021), Haus Publishing, ISBN 978-1-913368-22-7[56]
  • War Against the Taliban: Why It All Went Wrong (2012), Bloomsbury, ISBN 978-1-4088-0905-1[57]
  • The Bushmen of Southern Africa: Slaughter of the Innocent (July 2001), with Charles, Prince of Wales, Chatto and Windus, ISBN 0-7011-6906-0[58]
  • News From The Front: A Television Reporter's Life (Feb 1994), William Heinemann, ISBN 0-434-00087-6[59]
  • George Adamson: Lord of the Lions (Nov 1991), Grafton, ISBN 0-246-13699-5[60]
  • Afghanistan: Travels with the Mujahideen (July 1989), New English Library Ltd, ISBN 0-450-50082-9[61]
  • Salang (May 1989), The Bodley Head Ltd, ISBN 0-370-31309-7[62]
  • Afghanistan: Agony of a Nation (Feb 1988), with Margaret Thatcher, The Bodley Head Ltd, ISBN 0-370-31135-3[63]
  • Behind Russian Lines: An Afghan Journal (Sep 1983), Sidg. & J, ISBN 0-283-99039-2[64]
  • Don't Worry About the Money Now (March 1983), H Hamilton, ISBN 0-241-10959-0[11]
  • Chasing the Dragon (June 1981), Wm Collins & Sons & Co, ISBN 0-00-222125-X[65]
  • Gold Scoop (October 1977), Collins, ISBN 0-00-221355-9[66]

Articles

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Sandy Gall". The Writers Directory. 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via Gale In Context: Biography.
  2. ^ a b Jones, Tony (21 June 1979). "Every bit a gentleman". The Journal. p. 6. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Moore, Charles (14 August 2010). "Sandy Gall's dream for Afghanistan". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Sandy Gall". Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors. 2006. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via Gale In Context: Biography.
  5. ^ a b c d "Gall, Henderson Alexander ('Sandy') (Oral history)". Imperial War Museum. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Some former pupils show the way". The Herald. 6 October 1998. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d Stephens, Joan (19 September 1979). "Fireproof—and he's been in some hot spots!". Leicester Mercury. p. 6. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c d Flett, Al (4 January 1978). "Newscaster recalls Amin jail ordeal". Leicester Mercury. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Hayward, Anthony, ed. (1990). The Completely Revised and Updated - Who's Who on Television - 1990-91 (Fifth ed.). London, England: Boxtree Limited. p. 73. ISBN 1-85283-105-7 – via Internet Archive.
  10. ^ Messent, Maureen (29 September 1983). "Sandy Gall goes to war with Russia". Black Country Evening Mail. p. 17. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Gale, George (9 March 1983). "Rogues, rovers and roisters". Evening Standard. p. 19. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b c d Who's Who 2007 (159th ed.). London, England: A & C Black. 2007. p. 815. ISBN 978-0-7136-7527-6 – via Internet Archive.
  13. ^ "UN Seeking Release of British Newsmen". Nottingham Evening Post. 3 September 1960. p. 5. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b Wright, Brian (5 September 1960). "Mystery of Mission by Czechs". The Daily Telegraph. p. 22. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b O'Carroll, Lisa (14 March 1995). "Intrepid Sandy set to break away on a new venture". Evening Standard. p. 15. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Day-Lewis, Sean (26 May 1975). "Brussels from the inside". The Daily Telegraph. p. 10. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "What's On the Box - STV". Daily Record. 6 April 1977. p. 20. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "On Westward this autumn". Torquay Herald Express. 8 September 1975. p. 6. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Newsmen are held". Western Daily Press. 20 January 1976. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Day-Lewis, Sean (8 April 1980). "Gall displays Reggie traits". The Daily Telegraph. p. 11. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "America Decides". The Daily Telegraph. 4 November 1980. p. 29. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ MacDonald, Keith (28 July 1981). "A guide to the wedding on TV". Manchester Evening News. p. 12. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Sandy's 2 months with the Afghan rebels". Evening Sentinel. 23 November 1982. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Austin, Tony (23 November 1982). "Sandy, the Afghan newshound". Daily Post. p. 13. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "TV and radio guide". Torquay Herald Express. 31 March 1983. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Travelling cross channel". Dorset Echo. 17 March 1984. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Revenge for Sandy and Kathie?". South Wales Argus. 12 May 1984. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Allah against the Gunships". Bournemouth Evening Echo. 23 October 1984. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ West, Roy (23 October 1984). "Sandy's Afghan scoop". Liverpool Echo. p. 17. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Scrabble to find the right words". Leicester Mercury. 29 July 1985. p. 8. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Mafham, Rowena (16 June 1986). "Now Fergie's on tape". Reading Evening Post. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Russia's Vietnam". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 11 November 1986. p. 15. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Sandy in a bunker?". Lincolnshire Echo. 17 May 1988. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Pope, Stephen (25 August 1989). "A lion among lions". The Independent. p. 29. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Final farewell". Cambridge Evening News. 5 January 1991. p. 6. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Sandy Gall quits News at Ten for reporting job". The Daily Telegraph. 5 November 1990. p. 3. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Sands of time". The Daily Telegraph. 19 September 1992. p. 17. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Why elephant man fell out of favour". Lincolnshire Echo. 24 January 1995. p. 5. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Desert adventure". Birmingham Evening Mail. 27 May 1996. p. 15. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ Walker, Ian (27 May 1996). "I'll be watching". Cambridge Evening News. p. 19. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ Leonard, Tom (14 November 2002). "Old newshounds back on scent for Channel Five". The Daily Telegraph. p. 16. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "Multichannel: Afghanistan: War Without End". The Daily Telegraph. 29 November 2004. p. 25. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Darke, Kimberley (29 November 2004). "Digital Highlights: Afghanistan: War Without End". Evening Standard. p. 64. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "The television journalist, the Taliban and a bloody war with few winners". The Yorkshire Post. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Bonino puts paid to Sandy Gall's charity". The Sunday Telegraph. 21 March 1999. p. 18. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "News veteran Gall makes radio return". BBC News. 6 January 2003. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  47. ^ Willis, Peter (9 April 1973). "The news readers with the film star image". Liverpool Echo. p. 6. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Eleanor Mary Patricia Anne Gall". Legacy.com. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  49. ^ "Gall tells of his fury over treatment of journalist daughter". AllMediaScotland. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  50. ^ Hayward, Stephen (2 September 1992). "Sandy's ex-lover in hiding as affair ends". Western Daily Press. p. 10. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Sandy Gall Hurt". The Daily Telegraph. 13 June 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ a b "Sandy Gall feel asleep at the wheel". Evening Standard. 31 August 1972. p. 6. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal Former Recipients". Royal Society for Asian Affairs. 27 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  54. ^ "No. 51171". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1987. p. 7.
  55. ^ "No. 59647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2010. p. 3.
  56. ^ P Sempa, Francis (23 November 2021). ""Afghan Napoleon: The Life of Ahmad Shah Massoud" by Sandy Gall". Asian Review of Books. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  57. ^ Coughlin, Con (2 February 2012). "War Against the Taliban by Sandy Gall: review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  58. ^ Jones, JDF (16 July 2001). "The Bushmen's doom". Evening Standard. p. 49. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ^ Gott, Richard (12 February 1994). "Playing the Great Game with incredible Gall". The Guardian. p. 29. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ^ Stephenson, H. (13 November 1991). "Book Review". Faversham Times. p. 19. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  61. ^ Dighton, Christopher (12 July 1989). "Old pro's view of tough war". Birmingham Metronews. p. 10. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ^ Jones, Pedr (25 June 1989). "Predictable plot and a dated conclusion". Wales on Sunday. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ^ Bishop, Patrick (14 February 1988). "Afghan agony". The Sunday Telegraph. p. 16. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. ^ Deedes, W. F. (30 September 1983). "Incurable reporter". The Daily Telegraph. p. 18. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ^ Worsworth, Christopher (28 June 1981). "Crime Ration". The Observer. p. 33. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ^ Brien, Jeremy (3 November 1977). "A first from Sandy". Bristol Evening Post. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
[edit]
Academic offices
Preceded by Rector of the University of Aberdeen
1978–1981 		Succeeded by
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