Samuel's father Jacob wrote to the War Office in June 1916 requesting his son be sent home until he is 19 years old, as "he has a very delicate mother and he is the eldest of seven" and would be very useful to him.

The War Office requested a copy of Samuel's birth certificate to verify his age, but Jacob had to respond explaining that where he was born, "in a village near Vilna, Russia, they do not give out birth certificates."

Samuel went to France with his battalion in January 1917, so it is uncertain whether he was allowed to return home, or he remained training in Salisbury until being sent to the Western Front.

Samuel was Court Martialled in February 1919 for "desertion", and was sentenced to 28 days detention in Southend-on-Sea.