Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Feilden, a serving Lieutenant Colonel, born 1842 in Kirk Langley, Derbyshire and his wife Emily Jane Feilden (nee Harrison, married in the 1st quarter of 1880 in the Wetherby, Yorkshire district)), born 1855 in Leeds, Yorkshire. Oswald Henry was born in 1887 in Borth, Cardiganshire, Wales, he had one sibling a brother, Robert Humphrey, born 1855 in Thorner, Yorkshire, also residing with the family was his paternal uncle, Frank Thurstane Feilden, living on his own means, born 1849 in Kirk Langley, in April 1891 the family home was at 1, Cambrian Terrace, Henllys, Penybont, Cardiganshire. In March 1901 Oswald was residing in the family home at 1, Cambrian Terrace, Henllys, Penybont, together with his father, now retired, and his mother, also residing with the family was his paternal uncle, Frank Thurstane Feilden, and his maternal uncle Humphrey Robin Harrison, living on his own means, born 1874 in Scarcroft, Yorkshire. In April 1911 Oswald was employed as a clerk at a Mountsorrel, Leicestershire granite quarry and was residing as a boarder at North Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. His parents later resided at Lane End, Partney, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.
Oswald was educated at Llandovery College from 1898 to 1900, before taking his degree at Aberystwyth. He joined the Leicestershire Territorial's in 1911, and was commissioned into the 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on the 15th January 1912. The 2/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was serving in Ireland and had been involved in the Easter uprising, before embarking to join the British Expeditionary Force in France, where they landed on the 24th February 1917, joining the 177th Infantry Brigade, 59th Division. They fought during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and then moved to Ypres. After training around the Voormezeele area in Flanders in early September 1917, the 2/5th Battalion moved to St. Jean, near Ypres, to prepare for a major attack which was timed to take place on the 26th September 1917. At 5.50am on the 26th September 1917, the 2/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, attacked Hill 37, taking all its objectives. Oswald was severely wounded during this action and died from his wounds on the 29th September in No.46 Casualty Clearing Station, Proven.
A brother officer wrote, “That although he had been unwell he insisted on accompanying the Battalion when it went up for the attack on the 26th; that, though severely wounded by a shell that fell almost on top of him, he insisted on walking back to the dressing station, and that his only anxiety on his way back was that the reserve ammunition should be carried forward promptly.” Captain Feilden was one of the Sidesmen of Holy Trinity Church, Barrow upon Soar, and had also been a member of the Church of England Men’s Society, and for several years had been Captain of the Church Lad’s Brigade Company.
The War Diary records: 29 Oct-17 - HILL 37. Relieving officers ANZAC Brigade came up to view Battalion Headquarters front line. Battalion Headquarters heavily shelled in consequence. Two direct hits on Pill Box. At night took over front line from 2/5th SHERWOOD FORESTERS. Captain and Adjutant O. H. FEILDEN died of wounds. ½ Company 1st CANTERBURY REGT sent in support.
On Friday October 19th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – BARROW ON SOAR. THE LATE CAPTAIN FEILDEN.- Glowing tributes are paid by senior officers to Captain and Adjutant Oswald H. Feilden, of Barrow on Soar, whose death from wounds we reported on Thursday. One of his commanding officers writes of him: “No man ever had a more loyal adjutant than I had in your son. The amount of energy her put into his work when I was raising the battalion had an enormous effect, and the success of the battalion is largely due to his work in the early days.” Another Colonel says: “He knew no fear, and his one idea was duty. He was loved by all ranks, and I heard one man say to another when they heard of his death. ‘He was a father to us all.’ This exactly describes him, his cheerful presence can never be replaced.” His brother, Major R. H. Feilden, R.F.A., was seriously wounded on October 4th.