Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Felstead an ironstone quarry worker, born on the 27th January 1863 in Hoby, Leicestershire and his wife Alice Felstead (nee Kirk, married in the 1st quarter of 1886 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district)), born 1863 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. Sam, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Edith Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1890 in Rotherby, Leicestershire, James, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1891, Alice Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1893, John Henry, a schoolboy, born 1896, George, born 1899, Arthur, born 1900 and Sarah Jane, born 1901, the latter six siblings were all born in Ab Kettleby, in March 1901 the family home was at Wartnaby Road, Ab Kettleby. In April 1911 Sam was employed as a farm servant and was residing in the family home at Ab Kettleby, together with his father, an ironstone labourer, his mother and siblings, Edith, a general servant, John, a farm servant, George, a schoolboy, Arthur, a schoolboy, Sarah, a schoolgirl, William, born 1903, Ellen, born 1905 and Albert, born 1906, the latter three siblings were all born in Ab Kettleby. Sam was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His elder brother James also fell.
The War Diary records: 18 Jun-17 – NOOTE-BOOM. Relieved the 165th FRENCH INFANTRY REGIMENT in front line. “A” Subsector, Left Sector and so became the first Battalion to be on extreme left of British front as held on this day.
On Friday July 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – AB KETTLEBY. – MILITARY. – During the past week-end Pte. Sam Felstead spent a few days at home. He looked remarkably fit and well, and spoke in a cheerful manner of his surroundings. His regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers, is at present quartered near ----, and he re-joined on Monday last. Mrs. J. Felstead, of this village, has received news that her son, Pte. Frank Felstead, has been removed to England, and is at present in hospital at Netley. The family are naturally very anxious as to his condition, and we trust they will soon have news that he is on a fair way to recovery.
On Friday November 24th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – AB KETTLEBY. – MILITARY. – During the past week Pte’s J. R. Holroyd, J. Moulds, and E. Felstead have been home for a few days. The two former returned on Tuesday last, and the latter yesterday (Thursday). Pte. Moulds went back direct to the front, but Pte. J. R. Holroyd had first to report himself to headquarters after his injuries, while Pte. S. Felstead returned to his regiment in Yorkshire. The villagers wish them the best of luck.
On Friday June 29th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – AB KETTLEBY. KILLED IN ACTION. – Last week we reported a letter from the front recording that Pte. James Felstead of the 8th Kings Own Regt., was missing. We are sorry to report this week that Mr and Mrs T. Felstead have received a letter from the Chaplain stating that their other son Pte. S. Felstead of the same Regiment has been killed in action. Much sympathy is felt for them in this further trouble. Both lads were greatly respected, and had done good work. No official news has been received as yet from the War Office, and we trust that there may still be a chance that it may prove to be someone else as it will be noticed that the Chaplain gives the name of I. Felstead. The letter read as follows:- June 19th 1917, 15, Lancs. Fus., B.E.F. Dear Mr Felstead. I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that your son Pte. I. Felstead, 36142, of this Batt. Has fallen in action. He was on guard in a trench yesterday morning when a shell burst just in front of him, killing him instantly. We shall miss him very much indeed for, in the words of his Company Commander, he was one of the best men in the company. We buried him and his pal, Pte. Barker, who was killed with him, near to where they fell and have marked the place with a cross. They were inseparable in the Battalion while alive, and in death they were not divided. God help you to bear this great sorrow which has come into your life. Your son has made the supreme sacrifice in defence of King and country and to uphold the right. His platoon joins me in expressing our deepest sympathy. – Yours sincerely. Reg French, C.F.
On Friday July 13th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. FELSTEAD.- Killed in action in France, on June 18th, Pte. Sam Felstead, son of Mr and Mrs T. Felstead, of Ab Kettleby, aged 22 years.
On Friday July 20th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – AB KETTLEBY – MEMORIAL SERVICE – On Monday evening a Foresters memorial service was held in the Parish Church in memory of the late Bro. Pte. Sam Felstead, of the 1st/5th Lancashire Fusiliers who was killed in action on June 18th. The deceased was the second son of Bro. and Mrs T. Felstead, of this village. The service was conducted by the Court Chaplains, Bro. The Rev. E. F. Doudney, M.A., who with the large number of members of Court Ab Kettleby Reliance wore their regalia. There was a very large congregation, the church being filled with sympathisers, who attended to show their last token of respect to the deceased. The Vicar, at the commencement of the service, said on behalf of himself and the members of the Church, and on behalf of the deceased’s family and the members of the Court Ab Kettleby Reliance, he wished to thank the stewards of the Wesleyan Chapel for so kindly closing the Chapel that evening so that those who attended that place of worship could join them in that memorial service. He mentioned that 48 members of Court Ab Kettleby Reliance of the Ancient Order of Foresters had joined H.M. Forces, six of their members had been killed in action, viz :- Bro. Pte. Emmanuel John Bailey, Bro. Pte. Harry Bottrill, Bro. Pte. Bertie King, Bro. Pte. George Henry Gale, Bro. Corpl. Cecil Thomas Foister and Bro. Pte. Sam Felstead. Three were missing viz :- Bro. Pte. William Tinkler, Bro. Pte. James Felstead, Bro. Pte. William Henry Ecob. Two were prisoners of war in Germany: Bro. Pte. William Tebbutt Durrands and Bro. Pte. Edgar Holroyd. Two are at home wounded: Bro. Pte. George William Bates and Bro. Pte. Frank Felstead; and two are at present wounded and in hospitals: Bro. Pte. William Henry Gale, Bro. Pte. Joseph Coulson, and one of their members Bro. Sergeant John Thomas Knott, has been awarded the Military Medal for distinguished service in the field.. The Vicar then went through the impressive Foresters funeral service, and also the service of the Church for our fallen heroes. Special Psalms were sung, special lessons read and the hymns were suitable for the occasion. Sister F. E. M. Taylor ably presided at the organ, and as a voluntary played “O rest in the Lord,” and at the close the “Dead March” in “Saul.” The Vicar based an elegant discourse from Galatians vi. 2. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” He took for his subject the Foresters watchword, Sympathy. He said they as Foresters had met together that evening to pay their last token of respect for one of their members, Bro. Pte. Sam Felstead, and he was very pleased to see so large a congregation present to join with them in that solemn service. He thought as a Forester himself he could not do better than to talk to them on their watchword which was Sympathy, which they always endeavoured to carry out in a practical manner. It was a custom when one of their members died to go through their beautiful service, and attend in a body to pay their last token of respect to their deceased members. He drew several practical lessons from the noble conduct of our heroes who were making the supreme sacrifice, and concluded by speaking words of consolation and comfort to the deceased’s parents and other members of the family. Altogether the service was a most impressive one. It is interesting to note that the local Roll of Honour in the Church contains the names of 110 persons and as the population of Ab Kettleby – cum – Holwell is only slightly over 300 it is a record of which the parishioners may well be proud.
On Friday August 3rd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – AB KETTLEBY. MEMORIAL SERVICE.- A service in memory of the late Pte. Sam Felstead, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action on June 18th, was held in the Wesleyan Chapel on Wednesday evening. The service was conducted by the Rev. W. Hoad, of Melton Mowbray, and was attended by the deceased’s father and mother Mr and Mrs Thomas Felstead and the other members of the family. The rev gentleman based a most appropriate discourse on the incident of the journey of the two disciples to Emmaus, as recorded in St. Luke, chapter 24, and spoke words of consolation and comfort to the parents and other members of the family.