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Samuel George Proudfoot (1915–1943)

Flags were flown at half-mast over the Soldiers' Memorial at the School of Arts yesterday as a tribute of sympathy when the sad news was received that Squadron Leader Samuel George Proudfoot had been killed in an aircraft accident abroad, presumably in India. The gallant airman, who was 28 years of age and the second son of Mr. H. D. Proudfoot, well-known citizen of Scone, enrolled for service shortly after the outbreak of war. It was not until November, 1940, that he received his call-up with the R.A.A.F., and he underwent a course of training in N.S. Wales and Queensland air training schools, where he qualified for his 'wings.' Shortly after graduating from the training school, the deceased airman embarked and landed in Kenya (South Africa), where, after another course of training, he became attached to an R.A.F. Blenheim bomber squadron as pilot of one of these famous aircraft. He saw active service in Egypt against the Italian forces, and was later transferred to Ceylon. Always an active sportsman, the late Squadron Leader Proudfoot will be remembered as an outstanding athlete of the Maitland High School, of which he was School Captain during his last year of study there. After leaving Maitland, he attended the Armidale Teachers' College and became President of that college. After graduating at Armidale College, he joined the teaching staff of the Department of Education, later taking up his appointment as teacher with several North Coast schools, Cooloongalook, Wiparee, and in the Kyogle district. So it is not surprising to learn that in Ceylon the late airman furthered his interest in the sporting activities of the various Services, and captained the R.A.F. Harlequins, a Rugby team that met with much success on the island. When the war clouds loomed over India, and fighting was taken into Burma, the late Squadron Leader Proudfoot was transferred with a Blenheim squadron to India. While in this country he had made more than 50 mission flights over Burma, and had been amongst and witnessed some of the fiercest air battles to rage in those parts in to-day's world upheaval. Although the inevitable is often to be expected when young Australians join up to serve their country and to give of their best, and their lives, in the part which they serve to bring peace back to the world again, news of yet another gallant son who has made the supreme sacrifice in the course of his duty for his country and the Empire, is received with sorrow by all who knew him. Added to the tragic passing of Squadron Leader Proudfoot is the knowledge that he is the second son of a patriotic and highly respected father to fall on foreign soil in this second world war. Mr. Proudfoot, together with the brothers and sister of the late airmen, are to be commiserated with in their great sorrow. Two brothers and a sister are also in uniform, namely, L/Cpl. Bruce Proudfoot, who has been on active service in New Guinea during the past nine months, Sapper Douglas Proudfoot, who is attached to an engineers' unit in the North, while Miss Rose Proudfoot wears the uniform of the V.A. Detachment, and is serving at a military hospital in N.S. Wales.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Proudfoot, Samuel George (1915–1943)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/proudfoot-samuel-george-21671/text31851, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

5 January, 1915
Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia

Death

13 September, 1943 (aged 28)
India

Cause of Death

air crash

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Education
Occupation
Military Service