Sergeant Samuel Hugh Albert Jess (635446) served in the Royal Air Force during World War Two. Known as Albert, he was the son of James Jess and Ellen Henderson Jess of Killyleagh, Co. Down.
During World War Two, Jess flew with RAF 102 Squadron. At his time of death, he was a wireless operator/air gunner on board Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber T4273 DY-O. This plane had crash-landed at RAF Topcliffe on 21st December 1940 while returning from a raid on Turin. On this occasion, the pilot was Sergeant Robert Aubrey Doherty from Dundonald, Co. Down, a former pupil at Regent House Grammar School, Newtownards, Co. Down.
Whitley T4273 took off from RAF Topcliffe on the night of 12th-13th March 1941. It failed to return from the mission over Germany. Anti-aircraft flak guns downed the bomber over Kampstrasse, Hamburg killing the crew of five. Albert died on 13th March 1941 aged 19 years old.
Remembering the crew of T4273
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jess | Samuel Hugh Albert | Sergeant | Wireless Operator / Air Gunner | RAF 635446. |
| Elliott | Alexander Charles | Sergeant | Pilot | RAF 754431. |
| Cook | Anthony Leonard Roger | Sergeant | 2nd Pilot | RAF 749179. |
| Oxley | John Molesworth | Sergeant | Observer | RAF 759253. |
| Skinner | Norman Reginald | Sergeant | Wireless Operator / Air Gunner | RAF 903147. |
Samuel Hugh Albert Jess’ grave is in Section 5A, Row F, Grave 12-13 of Ohlsdorf Cemetery, Hamburg, Germany. His headstone bears the inscription:
The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended.