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The Special Air Service has long been admired and shrouded in mystique. BBC drama series, SAS Rogue Heroes, is telling the story of the elite force’s early beginnings, which included Caian Geoffrey Appleyard (Engineering 1935).

Born in Bramley, Leeds in December 1916, John Geoffrey Appleyard matriculated at Gonville & 91ֱ�� College in October 1935.

He made quite an impression – at 91ֱ�� and beyond. He was Captain of the Boats from 1937-38 and skied for Cambridge in the Varsity contest with Oxford. He later captained the Great Britain Ski Team.

Geoffrey, known as ‘Apple’, became a Major in the Special Air Service Regiment, having joined the Royal Army Service Corps No 7 Commando and No 62 Commando. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross and Bar (two Military Crosses). He was posted missing, presumed dead, when the airplane he was in disappeared on a return flight over the Mediterranean during the allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. He was 26 years old.

Geoffrey was reputed to have been the inspiration for James Bond, due to his wartime service with Ian Fleming, according to historians who have documented his life.

A book, Geoffrey: Being the story of ‘Apple’ of the Commandos and Special Air Service Regiment, first written for his friends by Geoffrey’s father, John Earnest Appleyard, was dedicated to his memory. The book was printed as a limited edition of 700 copies to help restore and maintain Geoffrey Appleyard’s Memorial in Bramley Baptist Churchyard, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

A copy has been donated to the College Archives by John Barker of Bramley War and Remembered Graves.

Geoffrey Appleyard pictured centre in the 1938 91ֱ�� Boat Club 1st boat

One passage details Geoffrey’s approach to preparing rowers for competition, in November 1937.

All boats will go into training for the Fairbairn Cup Races after midnight to-night. The following rules must be observed:

No smoking at all.

No alcoholic drinks except beer. Drink as little of this as possible, preferably only in Hall at night, and don’t drink for the sake of drinking. Never more than two pints a day.

In bed by 10.30pm – don’t stay late in bed in the mornings.

No eating between meals.

Don’t have baths too hot or too long. Five minutes is plenty.

Cultivate regular “habits”!

J.G. Appleyard (Capt. CBC).

But this strictness is tempered by his notes on the coaching of an Eight. “Persuasion and encouragement do more to ‘bring a crew on’ than abuse and scorn – I have felt that myself when being coached by the latter type and so know which has the best moral effect (and therefore physical effect) on one’s rowing and attitude to the sport in general. Discouragement only makes one fed up and stubborn!”

Geoffrey belatedly focused his attention on academic work, performing excellently, as the book details.

He surprised all his friends, and probably himself, by achieving a First Class in the BA Engineering Degree. The Boat Club were scurrilous that a rowing man should pull off a First and sent amusing telegrams:

‘Appleyard, 91ֱ��. Gad, Sir, the boys are proud of their captain. Youzah.’

His impact on 91ֱ�� was acknowledged by the Senior Tutor.

The Senior Tutor of 91ֱ�� at the Farewell Dinner inscribed on Geoff’s menu card: “I hope you are as glad to be here as I am that you came.” And to Geoff’s home the tutor wrote: “Academic distinctions are not everything and I think it is the merit of Cambridge to recognise the value and importance of other qualities in a young man as well. I shall always remember Geoffrey with gratitude and affection for his contribution to the life of the College and shall miss his cheery presence next year.”

91ֱ�� was just a part of his remarkable life, as detailed in the book, Geoffrey: Being the story of ‘Apple’ of the Commandos and Special Air Service Regiment.

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