Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son George Fellows, a banker, born 1845 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire and his wife Emma Margaret Fellows (nee Pulteney, married in the 1st quarter of 1877 in St. George, Hanover Square, Middlesex), born 1851 in Netherbury, Dorset. Richard Woodhouse was born on the 13th April 1887 in Beeston, and was baptised on the 16th May 1887 in St. John the Baptist Church, Beeston, his siblings were, Evelyn Emma, born 1878, and baptised on the 10th January 1878 in St. Mary the Virgin Church, Plumtree, Nottinghamshire, Frances Dorothy, born 1879, and baptised on the 1st March 1879 in St. Mary the Virgin Church, Plumtree, and Violet, born 1880, and was baptised on the 13th March 1880 in St. Mary the Virgin Church, Plumtree, the latter three siblings were all born in Normanton, Nottinghamshire, John Pulteney, born 1881, and baptised on the 19th May 1881 in St. John the Baptist Church, Beeston and Sylvia Bettina, born 1889 and baptised on the 17th December 1888 in St. John the Baptist Church, Beeston, the latter two siblings were both born in Beeston, in April 1891 the family home was at Beeston Fields, Beeston. In March 1901 Richard was absent from the family home at Beeston Fields, Beeston, residing there was his father, a retired banker and Justice of the Peace for Nottinghamshire, his mother and siblings Frances, Violet, Sylvia and Margaret Geraldine, born 1892 in Beeston and baptised on the 26th August 1892 in St. John the Baptist Church, Beeston, Richard was a pupil and boarder at Marlborough College, Wiltshire. In April 1911 Richard was absent from the family home at the Imperial Hotel, Llandudno cum Eglwys Rhos, Caernarvonshire, Wales, residing there as boarders were his father, a retired banker, his mother and siblings Evelyn, Violet and John, a brewer. His parents latterly resided at 15, Eaton Gardens, Hove, West Sussex.
Richard attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 17th March 1913 at Armoury House, Finsbury, London E.C. He gave his place of birth as Beeston, Nottingham, his age as 25 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as Architect’s Assistant, his current employer being Douglas Stewart, 15, Deans Yard, London S.W. He gave his present home address as 29, Westminster Mansions, London S.W. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, George Fellows of Stancliffe, Barrow on Soar, Loughborough as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches. His vision was described as excellent and his physical development as good. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force at Armoury House, Finsbury, London E.C. on the 13th March 1913. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Honourable Artillery Company as a Driver, service number 332 on the 17/3/13. Attended Larkhill Camp for training between 3/5/13 – 17/5/13. Discharged at own request under Paragraph 156 (3) K.R. 1912, on the 16/3/14. Total service 1 year.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 – DUGOUT T.20.b.2.8. All fairly quiet last night.
6.20am. 1st Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT passed through the Battalion to attack their 1st objective. The Battalion got into position in attack formation ready to advance and take over positions captured and vacated by 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT 1 hour and 30 minutes after their 1st advance, in the following order:-
“A” Company with remainder of “D” Company in front line on a two platoon front.
“B” and “C” Companies each two platoons strong on a one platoon front in support.
7.13am. Battalion Headquarters moved up to where Battalion formed up.
7.50am. Battalion advanced, 150 yards between Companies and immediately came under heavy Machine Gun fire from our right front. We had not gone far before we heard the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were held up by Machine Gun fire and unable to get on.
After advance of about 500 yards we found the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT about 150 yards in front of us and so dug-in in rear of them.
8.00am. Battalion Headquarters moved up to shell hole immediately in rear of the Battalion.
8.15am. Orders were sent to Officer Commanding “A” Company to try and get in touch with the 9th SUFFOLK REGIMENT on our right. The Battalion dug-in in shell holes.
8.28am. Commanding Officer went up to Officer Commanding LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and asked if he required any support from us. No support was required. Both Battalions have suffered heavily, mostly from Machine Gun fire.
9.30am. A patrol was sent out from “A” Company to reconnoitre German trench running North from QUADRILATERAL in front of LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT where men in our helmets could be seen on our left front. Patrol reported trench held by the bosche and heavily wired, N.C.O. in charge of patrol killed and 2 men wounded.
1.30pm. Two platoons of “A” Company were sent forward to get in touch with the GUARDS on our left. All efforts to get in touch with 9th SUFFOLK’S on our right were unsuccessful.
5.40pm. Orders were received from Brigade to dig-in and remain where we are.
6.20pm. About 200 of the enemy were seen coming over the rise West of LESBOEUF, advancing in a North Westerly direction. We opened fire at 1,400 yards which seemed to be effective, this counter attack was broken up by the GUARDS on our left.
7.00pm. A large number of the enemy were seen advancing towards the GUARDS from LESBOEUF.
10.00pm. The Battalion were heavily shelled during the day at short intervals. Sent a wire to Brigade asking for Major STREET and Lieutenant MELLOR to join from Transport.
Casualties – Officers.
Killed, Lieutenant R. W. FELLOWS, Lieutenant S. W. MOULT.
Wounded, Captain G. T. MARCH, 2nd Lieutenant T. A. R. BARNES, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding J. W. HOBBS, D.S.O. (Remains at duty), 2nd Lieutenant K. GROUNDS. 2nd Lieutenant W. E. BRANDT.
On Friday September 29th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BARROW OFFICER KILLED. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows, of Stancliffe, Barrow-on-Soar, have been informed that their second son, Lieut. R. W. Fellows, of the Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on September 15th. The deceased officer was an architect in London at the outbreak of the war. His elder brother, Lieut. J. F. Fellows, is now in England, having been wounded a second time.