John Saunders
In the 1911 census he was a cycle hand.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John Saunders was born in 1897 at Nottingham and was the son of Jane Saunders born 1877 at Nottingham and the brother of Herbert Saunders born 1895 at Nottingham.
In 1901 his mother Jane Saunders married Henry Hancock at Nottingham.
In the 1911 censes the family are living at 8 Abbey Buildings, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham and are shown as, Henry Hancock 37 yrs a colliery labourer, he is living with his wife Jane Hancock 34 yrs and her children Herbert Saunders 16 yrs a cycle hand and John Saunders 14 yrs a cycle hand both children are shown as step sons, Henry stated he had been married for 10 yrs and he and his wife Jane had no children.
John Saunders married Mabel Charlotte Richards (born 22nd April 1898 ) in 1915 at Nottingham, they lived at 6 Abbey Buildings, Radford, Nottingham, they went on to have a daughter Dorothy Mary born 9th September 1915
Following his death his widow Mabel Charlotte was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week which commenced on 28th August 1916.
Private John Saunders, enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he landed in France on 9th September 1915 and was killed in action on 17th February 1916. He is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres
His brother Lance Corporal Herbert Edward Saundes enlisted and served with the 1/7th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment, he went to France on 25th February 1915. Killed in action, 1st July 1916, aged 22, in the attack on the German positions at Gommecourt, France, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Somme,France
Nottingham Evening Post In Memoriam 17/2/1918:
'Saunders. In memory of Private John Saunders, Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action February 17th 1916. Though death divides memory clings. - From his wife, daughter Dorothy and mother.'
In memoriam published 17th February 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :-
SAUNDERS. – In loving memory of Pte. John Saunders, killed in action February 17th, 1916. Fondly remembered. – From loving wife, mother, and daughter Dorothy.”
Above in memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
John Saunders
Photograph was published 13th June 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post and is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918