Samuel Benfield Steele was born at Purbrook, Medonte, County Simcoe, Ontario on 5 January 1848 to Captain Elmes Steele and Anne MacIan Macdonald. His father served under Nelson and other Admirals in the Napoleonic Wars, moving to Canada in 1832, with his first wife and family. After the death of his first wife, Captain Steele married Sam's mother, and they had six children, Sam being the eldest.
Published
Handwritten letter from Harwood Steele in France to SBS at Shorncliffe, England. Harwood explains in this letter that he has been transferred to General Ketchen's brigade: "attached for the purpose of learning the duties of a Staff Captain". 1 sheet and envelope.