Arthur Frederick Saunders


Arthur Frederick Saunders VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Career

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. 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 from 30 August 1915.
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 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,
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. He was awarded the Silver War Badge on 5 December 1916. After the war he received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal, as complements to his Victoria Cross.
In 1939, Saunders worked as a drawing office clerk in Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries lawn mower department. During the Second World War he served in the Home Guard.

Legacy

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