Enlisted at No.2 Recruiting Centre, Cardington, as AC2.

Transferred to the Reserve and recommended for training as Pilot or Observer.

No.54 (Training) Group, Torquay

No.3 Initial Training Wing, Torquay

Promoted to LAC

No.1 Receiving Wing, Northcliffe Hotel, Babbacombe

No.51 Group Pool, Flying Training Command

No.5 Bombing and Gunnery School (Air Observer's School), Jurby

Hampden, Whitley, Blenheim or Battle

Awarded Observer's Flying Badge and promoted to Sergeant.

No.16 Operational Training Unit, Upper Heyford

Hampden

No.106 Squadron, Cottesmore (26 Ops)

Hampden

No.16 Operational Training Unit, Upper Heyford

Wellington

Promoted to Flight Sergeant.

Discharged on appointment to commission

Commissioned as Pilot Officer on probation (emergency). London Gazette 09 Feb 43, p704.

No.30 Operational Training Unit, Hixon

Wellington

Promoted to Flying Officer (war substantive). London Gazette 21 May 43, p2250.

No.166 Squadron, Kirmington (17 Ops)

Wellington

No.81 Operational Training Unit, Ashbourne (Actual date tbc)

Whitley

No.1667 Heavy Conversion Unit, Faldingworth as an instructor.

Lancaster and/or Halifax

Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross Gazetted (15 Oct 43, p4561), for service on 166 Squadron. No citation or recommendation found.

No.576 Squadron, Elsham Wolds, as Navigation Leader. No record of flights in the Operations Record Book.

No.1662 Heavy Conversion Unit, Blyton

Halifax

Promoted to Flight Lieutenant. London Gazette 25 Aug 44, p3953.

No.15 Base, Scampton. (Actual date tbc)

Promoted to Acting Squadron Leader

RAF Hemswell (unit and appointment not known)(Actual date tbc)

No.13 Base, Elsham Wolds (Actual date tbc)

H A (Adriatic?) Group, Italy (Actual date and posting tbc)

Lost on a training flight in Lancaster ME439 of No.1 Lancaster Servicing Unit, Bari.
The aircraft took off on a test flight and was seen to be flying directly towards hilly country but keeping below the tops of the hills. It made a steep turn over a village and then commenced to climb between two lines of hills towards a third hill which effectively formed a blind canyon. The starboard outer engine was seen to be feathered and the aircraft was unable to climb out of the cul de sac. It struck the hillside and burst into flames, killing all but one of those on board. The pilot was an experienced aviatior with nearly 1500 flying hours who had commanded a Special Duties Sqn during the war. The flight had not been properly authorised, passengers were being carried contrary to the briefing and there were no parachutes in the aircraft.
Sqn Ldr Samuel is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy, Grave VIII.D.9. His inscription reads; 'O FOR THE TOUCH OF A VANISHED HAND AND THE SOUND OF A VOICE THAT IS STILL’

Lancaster

Details

Details

Courtesy of Ceri Stennett

Courtesy of Ceri Stennett

Courtesy of Ceri Stennett

Courtesy of Ceri Stennett

Courtesy of Ceri Stennett

Courtesy of Ceri Stennett