Samuel Smith was the husband of Ada May Smith, of Slough, Buckinghamshire, he enlisted in the Manchester Regiment and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Smith successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 116 from 15 to 27 May 1944. His course report stated, ”Lacks discipline, good performer”. He was posted to 8th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Smith was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 32, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial at Hovelsmannhof, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 30 October 1946.

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