Sandy Gall facts for kids

Henderson Alexander Gall, also known as Sandy Gall, was born on 1 October 1927. He is a Scottish journalist, author, and former news presenter for Independent Television News. His career in journalism has lasted over 50 years. He started as a sub-editor at the Aberdeen Press and Journal in 1952. Later, he worked as a foreign correspondent for the Reuters news agency from 1953 to 1963. Sandy Gall joined ITN in 1963 as a foreign reporter. He also presented News at Ten from 1970 to 1991. He was the Rector of the University of Aberdeen from 1978 to 1981. In 1986, he and his wife started the Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal charity.

Early Life and Education

Sandy Gall was born on 1 October 1927, in Penang, which is now part of Malaysia. His father was a rubber planter. When he was four, he moved to Scotland to live with relatives. He went to Trinity College, Glenalmond, an independent school for boys.

After school, he joined the Royal Air Force for two and a half years. He worked as a physical training instructor in Berlin. In 1952, he graduated from the University of Aberdeen. He earned a degree in French and German.

Starting a Journalism Career

In 1952, Sandy Gall began his journalism journey. He started as a trainee sub-editor at the Aberdeen Press and Journal. In May 1953, he became a trainee foreign correspondent for Reuters. This is a big international news agency. He worked there until 1963.

During his time at Reuters, he reported from many places. These included Congo, East Africa, Germany, and Hungary. In September 1960, he was arrested in Congo while reporting. He was released into the care of Tunisian soldiers.

Reporting for ITN

Sandy Gall joined Independent Television News in 1963. He worked as a foreign reporter. He traveled to places like Afghanistan, China, and Vietnam. In 1970, he also started presenting News at Ten.

He reported on many important events. In 1972, he was briefly arrested in Uganda. In 1976, he was detained in Madrid while filming a car factory strike. He also narrated a documentary called Journey's End in 1980. This film was about Vietnamese refugees.

Covering Major Events

Sandy Gall reported on the 1980 United States presidential election. He also covered the Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. In 1982, he made a documentary called Afghanistan: Behind Enemy Lines. It took two months to film inside Soviet-occupied Afghanistan.

He continued to report on the Soviet–Afghan War. In 1984, his documentary Allah Against the Gunships was broadcast. In 1986, he filmed Afghanistan; Agony of a Nation. He felt the war was not being reported correctly.

Later Career and Retirement

Sandy Gall made his last appearance as a News at Ten presenter on 4 January 1991. He then took on a special reporting role. He covered Afghanistan, Africa, and the Middle East. He decided to retire from ITN in late 1992.

Since 1993, he has continued to work as a freelance journalist. In 1995, he wrote and presented Network First: The Man Who Saved the Animals. This documentary was about conservationist Richard Leakey. He also presented radio and TV programs like Breakaway and The Empty Quarter.

In 2002, he reported from Afghanistan for Channel 5. He covered efforts to restore the Buddhas of Bamiyan. In 2004, he presented a documentary for the History Channel. It was called Afghanistan: War Without End. In 2003, he became the World Affairs Expert for LBC radio station.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Sandy Gall met Eleanor Smyth in 1956 in Budapest. She worked for the Foreign Office. They were married from 1958 until her death in 2018. They had four children. One of their children, Carlotta, is also a journalist.

In 1986, Sandy Gall and his wife started Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal. This charity helps Afghan people who were affected by conflict. It provides training for artificial limbs and physiotherapy for children.

Awards and Recognition

Sandy Gall has received several awards for his work.

• In 1981, he received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Aberdeen.
• In 1985, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Pakistan.
• In 1986, he received the Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal.
• In 1987, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
• In 2011, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). This was for his services to the people of Afghanistan.