Name
George Frederick Saunders
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
376226
Durham Light Infantry
19th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 68 to 72.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial
Pre War
George Frederick was born in Wheathampstead in 1882 (baptised 26 Nov 1882) the eldest son to William Saunders, a plate layer for Great Northern Railway, and Sarah Ann (nee Odell). On the 1891 Census the family of, parents, George, and brothers Alfred (born 1884), John H (born 1888), and Ernest R (born 1891) were living at High Street, Wheathampstead. On the 1901 Census the family were living at Old Marford and consisted of parents, George, Alfred, John, (all working as farm labourers), Ernest with younger brother Albert (born 1893).
George married Elizabeth Rebecca Brazier on 7 Aug 1905 in Wheathampstead. On the 1911 Census George, a bricklayer's labourer, was living with his wife Elizabeth and sons Albert (born 1906) and Harry (born1909) at Bury Green, Wheathampstead. George’s Parents were living at Necton Road, New Marford with John and Ernest Saunders.
Wartime Service
George was enlisted as Private 376226 in the Durham Light Infantry. No Service Record was found for George thus no details can be ascertained.
He was posted to 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd County). This unit was original formed in Jan 1915 and was designated as a Bantam Battalion for soldiers beneath the normal minimum height of 5ft 3in.), and was part of 35 Division. In Jan 1917 the Bantam designation was removed. In 1918 the Unit was situated in the Somme Area and took part in the Battle of Bapaume (24-25 Mar 1918) when the German Army initiated ‘Operation Michael’ with causing confusion and fierce fighting as rapid advances were made. George was reported ‘Missing’ and his death was presumed to have been on 29 Mar 1918.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £7 10s and arrears of £15 18s 7d was paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
