Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel King, a shoe trade clicker, born in the April quarter of 1860 in Great Easton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 22nd February 1863 in St. Andrew’s Church, Great Easton (son of Job King, 1817-1886 and Ketura Crabb, 1830-1879) and his wife Hannah Fielding King (formerly Collin, nee Cottrill married on the 24th December 1882 in Christ Church, Leicester) born in the January quarter of 1859 in Leicester (daughter of James Fielding Cottrill (Cotterill), 1832-1899 and Martha Gent, 1835-1916). Samuel James was born in the July quarter of 1890 in Leicester and baptised on the 24th August 1890 in Christ Church, Leicester, his siblings were, Edith Harriet, a shoe trade machinist, born in the October quarter of 1883 and baptised on the 17th October 1883 in St. Mark’s Church, Leicester, Martha Annie, a shoe trade fitter, born in the July quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 11th October 1885 in Christ Church, Leicester and Kate Evelyn, born on the 28th October 1892 and baptised on the 27th November 1892 in Christ Church, Leicester, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 19, Roseberry Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Samuel was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at 46, Harewood Street, Leicester, together with his father, a shoe trade clicker, his mother and siblings, Martha a glove trade seamer and Kate, a hosiery trade blouse maker. On the 11th October 1913 Samuel married Sarah Ann Sarson in the Church of St. Barnabas, Leicester, Sarah was born on the 31st May 1891 in Leicester and baptised on the 15th June 1891 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester (daughter of John Arthur Sarson and Clara Coltman). Samuel and Sarah had a son, Stanley Samuel King, born on the 30th June 1914 in Leicester and baptised on the 27th July 1914 in the Church of St. Barnabas, Leicester. Sarah died in October of 1918, aged 27 years, and was interred on the 26th October in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester.
FAMILY NOTE: Samuel’s mother Hannah Fielding Cotterill married James Edwin Collin in the April quarter of 1878 in Leicester, James died on the 2nd July 1879 in Leicester, aged 22. Hannah and James had a daughter, Rose, born in the July quarter of 1878 in Leicester, and who died on the 23rd August 1929 in Leicester.
Samuel enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 31st August 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 2449. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 23 years 2 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as boot trade.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 28th August 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 23 years 60 days, that he was 5-feet 11 inches in height, weighed 147 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Baptist or Congregationalist.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Sarah Ann King, 164, Victoria Road East, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 31/8/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 31/8/14.
Embodied service commenced. 31/8/14.
Embarked. With the 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 2/3/15.
Landed. Le Havre. 3/3/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 31/8/14 – 1/3/15. 183 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 1 year 44 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 12th May 1916, Samuel’s widow Sarah was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of fifteen shillings, for herself and her son, to commence on the 15th May 1916.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Wednesday, November 17th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – FALLEN LEICESTERS. – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Private S. KING, 4th Leicester’s; killed in action on October 13th. His widow and child live at 164, Victoria-road East.