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(RAF):Sqn Ldr: 14 Apr 1942 [1 Mar 1940],Wg Cdr (WS):9 Nov 1942,Wg Cdr: 1 Oct 1946,

15 Jan 1935: Relinquished his commission in RAFO

15 Jan 1935: Appointed to a commission in Auxiliary Air Force as a Pilot Officer.

3 Mar 1936: Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Pilot Officer.

3 Mar 1936: Relinquished his commission in the AuxAF.

xx Jun 1936:

14 Apr 1943: Supernumerary, RAF Waddington.

30 Mar 1944: ?

The following was received from Graham Lewis in New Zealand and I include it here in its entirety: -

"I was interested to visit the above page because I had worked with Sam in NZ during the early 1980s. A delightful man. Always insisted on being introduced as Sam Elworthy – none of the airs and graces one might have expected from his career, and, in particular, his close working association with the Royal Family. He met with the Queen on a weekly basis when she was in residence at Windsor, and on one of those occasions seized an opportunity to broach with her his desire to retire to NZ.

She responded that his appointment, like that of his predecessors, was one for life, and he was concerned that she seemed a little affronted that he should signal a wish to break that practice. He suggested that he had no wish, like some of his predecessors, to go gaga whilst still in office, or to be seen piddling in corners, and wished to retire gracefully, while in possession of all his faculties.

Months(?) passed without further mention of the subject, until the Queen told him, at the end of one of their meetings, that she had decided that, in future, there would be a retirement age of 75(?) set for the Governor of Windsor Castle, but she wantedhim to stay as long as he felt able. However, she was prepared to agree his earlier retirement, provided that he agreed to visit her annually and attend the annual Garter Ceremony at Windsor, for so long as he was able.

As a footnote to that, Sam had inherited the Garter insignia used by Sir Winston Churchill, and expressed concern at the risk of loss of that insignia, and the cost of its insurance, when undertaking these visits. The Queen resolved these concerns by undertaking to keep the insignia safe for him at Windsor.

I am not sure how many times he undertook these visits, but I clearly recall the enthusiasm with which he described a small luncheon hosted by the Queen in June 1981, at which he was seated next to Diana, shortly to marry Charles. He had been most taken with her.

I last saw Sam around March 1983, at which time he was still mentally sharp and physically active, but about to reach age 72, requiring his retirement from our business connection. At that time he had recently suffered a broken shoulder as a result of falling from a tree on his rural property that he was pruning with a chainsaw!"

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order

“Acting Wing Commander Samuel Charles ELWORTHY, D.F.C., A.F.C.(36056). No.82 Squadron.

In March, 1941, this officer was detailed to carry out an attack on enemy shipping off Le Havre. Sighting two enemy tankers of approximately 3,000 tons, escorted by flak ships, he proceeded to attack one of the tankers from a low altitude and, in spite of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the flak ships, scored a direct hit which set the tanker on fire. On another occasion whilst returning from a successful attack against an enemy dump near Flushing aerodrome he was attacked by two Messerschmitt 109’s, but though his rear gunner was wounded, he managed by skilful flying to throw off the enemy fighters and return safely to base. By his magnificent leadership and complete disregard of danger, Wing Commander Elworthy has brought his squadron to the highest pitch of war efficiency.”