Samuel Bleakley joined the army and served as 1131598 Gunner Samuel Bleakley with the Royal Artillery. On the 15th of July 1942 Samuel left the UK and landed in Egypt were he served with 53rd Field Regiment, R.A. as part of 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats), Middle East Forces. Here his unit would take part in almost all the desert battles including Tripoli and the most famous one of the war, El Alemien At the start of 1943 he was sent to Italy, again his unit would take part in battle, this time Monte Cassino. Months later his unit was sent back to the Middle East, and later on to North Africa. In July of 1945 Samuel was transferred to 71st Field Regiment until his return to the UK a month later.