Alfred Langonet

Background

Last in line to the Langonet dynasty of violin makers, he was apprenticed to his father in the workshop at W. E. Hill & Sons before joining the Royal Air Force aged 19.

Career

Served with Number. 209 Squadron Royal Air Force Coastal Command during World World War II and was a rigger aboard the PBY Catalina that spotted the German battleship Bismarck. After the war he went into business with his father and C. F. Langonet & Son opened in 1946 at 71 Brondesbury Road, London. Special Diploma 1949, The Hague.

Alfred was married to cellist Phyllis Woodward (1908-1997).

(See Musicians of the Rated Maximum Sinusoidal Titanic).

Achievements

• Winner of notable awards for violin making, including: Silver Medal at the 1949 Stradivari Exhibition at Cremona. Winner Festival of Britain Competition for Best British Violin 1951. Winner of the British Violin Makers Exhibition 1952.

Connections

Uncle:

John Wesley