John Langford: Sent to war without a gun

Ratbags & Roustabouts

Nov 5 2023 • 33 mins

When war broke out in 1914, thousands were eager to join up for the adventure, including John Langford. But his four years serving as a stretcher bearer in the RAMC would change the way he viewed life forever.
To commemorate Remembrance Day, we head to the Western Front during World War I as we follow the work of the Royal Army Medical Corps and in particular young private John Langford who served as a stretcher bearer for the 3rd (South Midland) Field Ambulance.
John went to war without a gun — there to save lives, not take them.
Here we recount the battles and the horrors that John experienced in the war, as we see the incredible risks the stretcher bearers made every day to help preserve the lives of their fellow soldiers.

02.32 Underage enlistments
05.43 Sent to France
07.05 How the RAMC worked
15.47 Battle of the Somme
20.11 Bullecourt
21.10 Passchendaele mud
23.52 A close call
24.55 Northern Italy
26.58 Time for love
28.12 A long life

Hosted by Marion Langford. Follow on Instagram or check out the website at ratbagsandroustabouts.com. Do you know a story that the history books forgot? Let us know about it!

You Might Like

Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra
Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra
Rachel Maddow, MSNBC
History Daily
History Daily
Airship | Noiser | Wondery
Dark History
Dark History
Audioboom Studios
Lore
Lore
Aaron Mahnke
The Ancients
The Ancients
History Hit
History That Doesn't Suck
History That Doesn't Suck
Prof. Greg Jackson
The Rest Is History
The Rest Is History
Goalhanger Podcasts
Ridiculous History
Ridiculous History
iHeartPodcasts
Tides of History
Tides of History
Wondery / Patrick Wyman
Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities
Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities
iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
Noble Blood
Noble Blood
iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
Slow Burn
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts
Gone Medieval
Gone Medieval
History Hit