Arthur Frederick Saunders

Arthur trained aboard The Marine Society Training Ship Warspite, which was moored at Woolwich, and from the ship joined the Royal Navy as a Boy, 2nd Class, at just under age 16. On 22 April 1896, he signed-up for a continuous service engagement with the Royal Navy of 12 years, which he completed in 1908. During his time in the Royal Navy he served as a petty officer (2nd Class).[3] After leaving the Royal Navy he worked for the agricultural equipment company Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries. On 19 September 1914 Arthur Frederick Saunders joined the army. He served in France with the Suffolk Regiment, as a part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from 30 August 1915.[4]

His award came as a result of the Battle of Loos on the Western Front in September 1915. His battalion were supporting the advance of the Cameron Highlanders. He was 37 years old, and a sergeant in the 9th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 September 1915 near Loos, France,

When his officer had been wounded during the attack, Sergeant Saunders took charge of two machine-guns and a few men and, although severely wounded in the thigh, closely followed the last four charges of another battalion, giving them all possible support. Later, when the remains of the battalion which he had been supporting was forced to retire, he stuck to one of his guns and in spite of his wound, continued to give clear orders and by continuous firing did his best to cover the retirement.[5]

He was recovered by stretcher bearers from the Scots Guards. Common belief states that the wounds to his leg meant that it was amputated when he reached an Advanced Dressing Station. However, this is inaccurate. After medical attention and a period of convalescence his leg had become 3 inches shorter therefore he wore a medical boot to aid his walking. On account of his wounds he was returned to England, and was discharged from the army at the depot of the Suffolk Regiment on 13 November 1916.[6] He was awarded the Silver War Badge on 5 December 1916.[7] After the war he received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal, as complements to his Victoria Cross.[8]

In 1939, Saunders worked as a drawing office clerk in Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries lawn mower department.[9] During the Second World War he served in the Home Guard.

His VC is in the Suffolk Regiment Museum in Bury St Edmunds.[10]

• Location of grave and VC medal (Suffolk)
• Website dedicated to Sgt. Saunders and the Victoria Cross medal