Place of birth: Ardwick, Manchester, England
Year of birth: 19th August 1908
Political organisation: CP '34 & LP '35 & NUWM
Occupation: Labourer/Watchman
Date of arrival: 5th January 1937
Date of departure: 7th December 1938
Date of death: Apr 1983 • Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Comments: Volunteered with Bert Maisky. Initially Battalion armourer. Elected Commander of a British Company at Albacete. Returned home briefly in 1937 after Brunete. 'The best of the British commanders.' JH p.248. Decorated with the Medal of Valour for his actions during the Ebro offensive. 'Sam was a great person and the Battalion would have done anything that Sam asked them to do.' Garry McCartney IWMSA 809/6. 'Reliable good record home and in Spain. Politically sound. He is a good comrade but rather rough.' 'Amejorado mucho su capacidad Militar un poco violento de caracter enpleando palabras violentas con los inferiores, siendo ests la causa deperder la confianza que en el tenia.' 'Very brave. Best Btn. Commander in Brigade. Keeps control over men well. Firm- cool. Disciplined carries out all orders. Weak politically. Men have confidence in him.' (Handwritten note probably by Bill Rust).
1939 living in Stamford Road, Manchester.
Source: NA FO371/22654 & IBA Box D-7 Files A/1 & A/2, RGASPI 545/6/40/119 & 545/6/53/22 & 545/6/90/17 & 545/6/91/72 & 545/6/215/16-36.
https://spartacus-educational.com/SPwildS.htm
https://grahamstevenson.me.uk/2011/10/02/wild-sam/
Manchester Evening News - 14 February 1983 p11.
