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R.A.F. 41047 Flying Officer Samuel James MILLEN D.F.C. (surname underlined)
Mother Mrs. O.J.K. Millen of Palmerston North.

Born in Wanganui on the 20th January, 1914, Samuel Millen received his secondary education at Wanganui Technical College attaining Matriculation standard. The games he played were rugby, cricket and tennis. Joining the Civil Reserve of Pilots, he received some flying training with the Wanganui Aero Club. His occupation was that of a lorry driver in the employ of the Highways Transport Co., Wanganui. In December, 1937, he applied for a Short Service commission in the Royal Air Force. This application was successful and on the 20th May, 1938 he embarked on the "Arawa" at Wellington to proceed to the United Kingdom.

On arriving in England, Flying Officer Millen reported to Air Ministry where he was confirmed in his appointment to a Short Service commission for four years in the commencing rank of pilot officer and instructed to proceed on the 27th June, 1938, to No. 22 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, White Waltham, Berkshire, to commence his flying training. This preliminary training completed, he proceeded on the 3rd September, 1938 to No. 11 Flying Training School, Shawbury, Shropshire. Here, on the 2nd January, 1939 he was awarded his Flying Badge. After completing the course at the Flying Training School, Flying Officer Millen was posted on the 24th April, 1939 to the School of Air Navigation, Manston, Kent. As a result of this training he obtained his Air Navigator's Certificate. Following this, on the 1st July, 1939 he was posted to No. 2 Ferry Pilots Pool, Filton, Gloucestershire. He remained with this unit delivering aircraft by air from the manufacturers to various Air Force stations all over Great Britian until the 26th April, 1940, when he was posted to No. 4 Continental Ferry Pool, Cardiff, South Wales. His duties now included the delivery of aircraft to points in France and North Africa. On the 15th July, 1940 he was posted to Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, Heston, Middlesex, and commenced operational flying. With this unit as pilot of a Spitfire fighter he took part in fifty operational flights during which he photographed enemy positions in France, Germany and Holland. While with this Unit on the 3rd September, 1940, he received his promotion to flying officer and on the 12th November, 1940 the award of his Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted, the citation reading as follows:-