Name
Charles Sydney Saunders
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/10/1917
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
CH.881(S)
Royal Marine Light Infantry
1st Royal Marine Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 1 and 162A.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of George Massey SAUNDERS of Watford, and Maria Elcey (nee SELMES) SAUNDERS.
His parents married 10 August 1878 at All Saints, Mountfield, Sussex. Maria died 1 October 1925 in Watford aged 74, and was buried 5 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; George died 10 October 1945 in Watford aged 92, and was buried 18 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Charles was born 11 March 1883 in Charlwood, Surrey, and baptised 20 May 1883 at St Nicholas’, Charlwood.
On the 1891 Census, aged 8 he lived in Charlwood, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1901 Census, a gardener’s labourer aged 18, he lived in Bushey, Herts, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a gardener aged 28, he lived in St Alban’s, Herts.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London 19 July 1915: a gardener, C of E. Embarked with the Royal Marine Brigade 5 December 1915 on H.M.T. Northlands, arriving Base Depot at Alexandria, Egypt, 17 December 1915.
Joined 1st Royal Marine Battalion at Mudros 26 January 1916; joined 2nd Field Company Divisional Engineers 27 July 1916; rejoined 1st Royal Marine Battalion 19 September 1916.
Suffered a gun shot wound to his back 17 February 1917 and was invalided to the U.K. 26 February 1917, where he was admitted to Belmont Road Hospital, Liverpool, on 27 February.
Drafted for the B.E.F. 15 June 1917, joined 1st Royal Marine Battalion 15 July 1917, and was sent on an Infantry course at Pernes 2 September 1917.
Rejoined 1st Royal Marine Battalion 3 October 1917 until 26 October when he was posted missing. Assumed dead 20 May 1918.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals; and was killed or died as a direct result of enemy action. His mother of Watford was notified.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Charles in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 28 September 1918.
His brother Archibald died 15 September 1918 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
