Pilot Officer Samuel Cunningham Atcheson (161591) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. He was the son of Caldwell Atcheson and the late Rebecca Atcheson (née Scott) of Drumquin, Co. Tyrone.
Known as Sam, he attended Omagh Academy, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. After schooling, he worked for the Post Office in the town. He was well-known as a footballer in the local area before enlisting in the RAF and completing training in Canada. Sam was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. His recommendation came on 5th March 1944 after his 19th operation, including 12 raids on Berlin.
This officer has completed a large number of sorties, including 12 attacks on Berlin. He has at all times displayed exceptional devotion to duty and his example of courage and determination has won great praise. In February 1944, he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Leipzig. In the early stages of the outward flight, the airspeed indicator became unserviceable. This did not deter him from continuing his mission and he reached the target at the scheduled, time to execute a successful attack.
The London Gazette, 24th March 1944.
Death over Switzerland
Sam Atcheson died on 16th March 1944 aged 24 years old. He was the pilot of Avro Lancaster JB474 DX-F of RAF 57 Squadron. Having taken off from RAF East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, the bomber was on a mission to Stuttgart, Germany. Before reaching the target, Atcheson’s crew came under attack from Luftwaffe Pilot Leutnant Herbert Koch of 11.NJG3.
All 4 of the Lancaster’s engines began to burn. Atcheson diverted the plane towards neutral Switzerland and ordered the crew to bale out. The bomber came down near Saignelégier, Switzerland. A single crew member, Flight Sergeant Reese, managed to bale out and became a prisoner of war while the remaining 6 died as a result of the crash.
Remembering the crew of Lancaster JB474
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atcheson | Samuel Cunningham | Pilot Officer | Pilot | RAFVR 161591. Distinguished Flying Cross. Killed in Action. |
| Thomas | Brian Henry Maude | Sergeant | Flight Engineer | RAFVR 1649209. Killed in Action. |
| McCall | Antony Patrick | Pilot Officer | Navigator | RAFVR 174060. Killed in Action. |
| Greenhalgh | Jack | Flight Sergeant | Air Bomber | RAFVR 1503461. Killed in Action. |
| Weaver | Frank Slater | Sergeant | Wireless Operator | RAFVR 1428641. Killed in Action. |
| Reece | Kenneth A | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | Prisoner of War. |
| Naylor | James Willie | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAFVR 2216119. Killed in Action. |
Atcheson’s crew took over Lancaster JB474 on 22nd January 1944 and the plane had completed 2 raids on Berlin, 1 on Stuttgart, 1 on Schweinfurt, 1 on Leipzig, and 1 on Augsberg.
Samuel Cunningham Atcheson’s grave is in Grave 11 of St. Martin’s Cemetery, Vevey, Switzerland. His name is on a memorial plaque at Omagh Post Office, Omagh, Co Tyrone. His headstone in Switzerland bears the inscription:
Peace, perfect peace.