To Boldly Go, Where No Man Has Gone Before: Charles Rumney Samson (1883-1931)
(1/23) From the skies over Eastchurch to the sands of Arabia, from the stormy northern seas to the humid Indian Ocean, Charles Rumney Samson had a storied career that spanned the early days of aviation, the First World War, and the formative years of the Royal Air Force, playing a crucial part in each. He was a daredevil and pioneer who brought naval aviation to new heights, and a trusted commander who led by example. Samson’s life is the stuff of Hollywood films — a source of inspiration, but, first and foremost, a key figure in understanding the rise of naval aviation. This is his life.