John Vernon Samson, was the son of Henry Augustus Samson and his wife, Helen/Ellen Mary or Mary Helen/Ellen nee Savage. Henry was a doctor, graduating from Melbourne University in 1880. In 1883 he was appointed health officer for the Shire of Omeo. At the time of his death in 1905 he was medical superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane, Beechworth.
John was born at Omeo in 1883. In 1908 the family moved to 72 Gipps Street, East Melbourne, and this was the address John gave when he enlisted on 17 October 1916, and that of his next of kin, his mother. At the time he described himself as an inspector. He was appointed to the Field Artillery Brigade Monthly Reinforcements at Maribyrnong.
He embarked on 11 May 1917 on HMAT Ascanius as a gunner. He disembarked at Devonport on 20 July 1917 and was dispatched to Parkhill as part of the Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery (RBAA) and then to Heytesbury where, on 5 September 1917, he was promoted to ER (Extra Regimental) Bombardier to complete establishment of 25th Field Artillery Brigade, 12th Reinforcements. He proceeded overseas to France from Heytesbury on 31 December 1917 and his rank reverted to gunner on leaving the RBAA. On 7 January 1918 he was taken on strength of 7th Auxillary Field Artillery Brigade. Ten days later he was transfrerred to 3rd Division Signal Company as a sapper. He was appointed lance corporal on 13 March 1918. On 6 July 1918 he was admitted to hospital with incontinence of urine, transferred to England on 12 July and was returend to Australia on 19 Otober 1918 for a change. He disembarked on 27 December 1918 and was discharged on 25 January 1919 as medically unfit, the diagnosis being war neurosis.
After briefly returning to East Melbourne to live with his mother at 138 Powlett Street he married Phoebe Ethel Hall in 1920. The married couple continued to live in the East Melbourne area. In the 1924 electoral roll they are listed at 83 Albert Street with his occupation given as civil servant. In 1931 they were at 42 Wellington Parade and from 1936 to 1943 they were at 18 Simpson Street. He died at his residence in Ocean Grove on 31 July 1945.