Samuel R Whitfied was born in 1892.  He was recorded on the census of 1901 living with his family at Moss Side, Hanmer. Head of the household was Richard Whitfield aged 40. He was an Agricultural Labourer. His wife was Ellen aged 39. Their listed children were Gertrude 12, Mary Ellen 10, Samuel R 8, Frank 7,  Thomas 5 Bertha 4 and a baby daughter aged 3 weeks who hadn’t got a name then.

The next census of 1911, records a Samuel Whitfield aged 18, working as a servant – worker on farm – at Bane Farm, Penley, Ellesmere. The farm was owned by John Leadsom who lived there  with his wife, married daughter and her husband and child.

UK Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 -19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the military details as above left. It adds that he enlisted in Whitchurch and that he was killed in action. It is this source that tells us that he was previously in the Welsh Horse Regiment with a different regimental number. His medal index card also on ancestry lists his two medals.

The UK Register of soldier’s effects in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers, includes an entry for Samuel. This source tells us he  that his death was ‘presumed’ on the 23rd March 1918. His father Richard received payment of £19 ..2sh .. 8d which included his war gratuity of £13.