Sergeant Samuel H Neil

Samuel Hannah Neil was born to Francis and Mary Hannah Neil of Lethanhill, Ayrshire, Scotland. He enlisted into the Black Watch in 1940 and then served in the Royal Engineers before his posting to the Army Air Corp and the Glider Pilot Regiment where he served as a Sergeant in 14 Flight; F Squadron stationed at Blakehill Farm, Cricklade, Wiltshire.

He was in the first lift of Operation Market Garden on 17 September 1944 and was badly wounded at Arnhem and taken to the Schoonard Medical Dressing Station [his name and injuries are recorded in ‘Padre Pare’s List]. A letter dated 22 December 1944 from the Scottish Branch of the British Red Cross to his family notified them that he was being held at POW camp Stalag XIB in Fallingbostel, Germany. While he was in Stalag XIB a New Testament was given to him by the Rev S Thorne [Chaplain] in December 1944 and which the family have donated to the archive in the The Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop. He was imprisoned in Stalag XIB until the camp was liberated in 1945.

‘Sam’ married Vera Bell at Close House Methodist Church, Eldon, County Durham in 1953 and they had two sons. He had planned to attend his first reunion organised by the 'Glider Pilot Regimental Association' scheduled to take place in Birmingham on 19 October 1968 but he fell seriously ill just over 1 week beforehand. He died on 17 February 1969 aged 47.