Samuel Hartley
RAF: leading aircraftman
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Samuel was the son of Tom and Kate Elizabeth Hartley (née Dobson).
His father was born in Sheffield in ahout 1854 and his mother in Hereford in about 1874. THey were married at Hawkeshead parish church, Cumberland, on 12 August 1895 and had seven chldren: Cecilia b.1896 Hawkshead, Eliza b. 1897 and Joseph b. 1899 both born in Troutbeck Westmoreland, William John b. 1902 Staveley Westmoreland, Tom b. 1904 and Samuel b. 1905 both born in Hawkshead and Eleanor b. 1909 and Walter b. 1913 both born Haverigg Cumberland.
Tom, Kate and their children Cecilia, Eliza and Joseph were living at Hawes Mill Cottage, Hugill, Kendal, in 1901.
Their youngest child, Eleanor, was born in Haverigg in 1909 and in 1911 Tom, Kate and their six youngest children were recorded at 4 Green Street, Haverigg, Millom. The eldest child, Cecilia was a domestic servant at Attwood, Outgate, Hawkshead, in the employment of Joseph Woodend, farmer, and his wife. Their youngest son, Walter, was born two years later.
Tom and Kate were still at 4 Green Street, Haverigg, in 1921. Only four of their eight children were in the home on the night of the census, Cecilia, Joseph, Eleanor and Walter, along with their granddaughter, Dorothy Katherine Hartley (6m). Samuel has not yet been traced on the 1921 Census.
Tom Hartley snr. died in 1928 (reg. Bootle Cumberland).
Samuel married Elizabeth Sutherland Hunter (b. 3 July 1908), the daughter of George and Isabella Hunter, in 1931 (reg. JFM Bootle, Cumberland).
When the 1939 England and Wales Register was compiled Samuel was recorded as a patient at the Royal Albert Institution, Ashton Road, Lanchaster, Lancashire. His wife Elizabeth, who was employed as a foster mother (boys' home), was recorded at 197 Greengate Street, Barrow in Furness, with her parents, George Hunter (b. 1874), an armament fitter, and Isabella (b.1882), unpaid domestic duties, Jane E Hunter (b.1917) single, secretary turf accountant, and Christina More (b.1875) married. The record of one member of the household remains closed.
Samuel's widowed mother, Kate Elizabeth, was living in Millom, Cumberland, in 1939 with her grandchild Dorothy Katherine Hartley and George R Barnard (b.1900) who may have been a lodger/boarder. Kate died in Millom in 1940 aged 66.
Samuel was living at Rosecroft Drive, Arnold, Nottingham, when he died on 16 March 1947. Administration of his Will was granted to his widow, Elizabeth Sutherland.
Late of 624 Squadron.
Samuel died on 16 March 1947 and is buried in Arnold Cemetery (grave ref. Class B. Uncons. Grave 3999).
‘624 Squadron was formed in Algeria in September 1943 from No. 1575 (Special Duties) Flight. The squadron inherited Halifax and Ventura aircraft which 1575 Flight had used to drop supplies to partisans and the resistance across much of southern Europe and the Balkans. 624 Squadron continued this duty until September 1944 by which time the liberation of most of Italy and France meant that it had no longer needed, and so on 5 September 1944 the Squadron was disbanded. The Squadron was reformed nearly four months later on 28 December 1944 as a mine-spotting squadron using the Walrus amphibian. It was disbanded on 30 November 1945.’ source: www.historyofwar/org/air/units/RAF/624). See also www.624squadron.com/squadron-history
WMR 80558. Memorial to 624 Squadron, National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. A plaque commemorating ‘624 (Special Duties) Squadron RAF air crew and ground staff of the RAF and Allied Air Forces which supported the liberation of France, Italy and Yugoslavia.’ is fixed on the ground alongside a commemorative tree. The plaque gives a detailed history of the Squadron and its predecessor, 1575 Flight.(www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/80558)
Millom Gazette, 10 February 1928 (extract): ‘Funeral at Haverigg. As announced last week [3 February 1928], the death occurred at 4 Green street, Haverigg, on the previous Wednesday of a very well-known and esteemed resident, in Mr Thos. Hartley, at the age of 74 years. The interment took place at St Luke’s churchyard on Saturday, a large contingent of his workmates at Red Hill quarry and other sympathisers attending to show their last token of respect. The Rev. CGT Lee conducted an impressive service in church and at the graveside. The bearers, all workmates, were as follows ...The principal mourners were: Mrs Hartley, widow, and Mr Jos Hartley, son; Mr and Mrs Park, son-in-law and daughter, Miss E Hartley, daughter, Messrs W Hartley, T Hartley, S Hartley and W Hartley, sons.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
CWGC Additional information: Son of Tom and Kate Elizabeth Hartley; husband of Elizabeth Sutherland Hartley, of Arnold.
CWGC headstone personal inscription; 'Father, grant thy weary one rest for evermore'
Probate: Hartley Samuel of 98 Rosecroft-drive Arnold, Nottinghamshire died 16 March 1947 at The City Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 23 May to Elizabeth Sutherland Hartley widow.
Headstone for S Hartley
CWGC headstone in Arnold Cemetery photo by Tracy Dodds