Name
Ernest Alfred Saunders
18/05/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/11/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
25348
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL
IV. C. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial Cheshunt, We are not aware of any Memorial in Flamstead End
Pre War
Ernest Alfred Saunders was born in Flamstead End, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on 18th May 1895, son of Joseph Saunders a, Fruit Gardener and Emma Saunders (nee Venables). One of four children although one died in infancy.
Ernest started school on 4th September 1899 aged 4, at St Mary’s Infant school Cheshunt, two weeks later on 18th September he was taken ill and remained off school until April 1900, when he returned to St Mary’s Infants, leaving in June 1902 when he transferred to Dewhurst Endowed Boys school, Cheshunt, until April 1907, when he left to start work.
1901 Census records Ernest aged 5, living with his parents, brothers Joseph Jr. (11) and Frederick (8) at, Farm Cottage, Cheshunt Park Farm, Flamstead End, Cheshunt, Herts. The family had a boarder Alfred Hardy.
1911 Census, Ernest aged 15, is working as a Nursery Garden Labourer, living with his parents, brothers Joseph (21) and Frederick (18), still at, Cheshunt Park Farm, Flamstead End, Cheshunt, Herts.
Wartime Service
Ernest enlisted at Cheshunt, Herts, posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment, issued with the service number 25348.
Seeing action on the Western Front, he was Killed in Action on the 13th November 1916, aged 21, at the Battle of the Ancre (Battle of the Ancre 13th – 18th November 1916). He is buried in the CWGC Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, France. Grave Ref; IV. C. 11.
Additional Information
His effects of £3-12s-1d, pay owing and his war gratuity of
£3, went to his mother Emma Saunders.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Simon Goodwin, Gareth Hughes
