Walter James Saunders
In 1911, he was a radiator tester in an iron foundry.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Walter James Sanders was born in 1858 at Bromsgrove he was the son of Joseph and Harriett Sanders née Davies.
Walter first married Martha West (born 1867 died 1897 aged 30 yrs) in 1895 at Nottingham.
Walter later married Selina Draycott (born 1853 Nottingham,) in Nottingham in 1893. They lived at 1 Clifton Street, Beeston, Nottingham with Selina’s son Charles Henry Draycott who was born in 1880.
In the 1911 census the family were living at 1 Clfton Street, Beeston, Nottingham, Walter James 53 yrs is a radiator tester, he is living with his wife Selina 58 yrs and Charles Henry Draycott (stepson) 31 yrs an engineers slotter.
Corporal Walter James Sanders, enlisted at Nottingham in October 1915. he served with the 1st Garrison battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he was an army veteran having served 18 years 12 of which were in India. He died of pneumonia in No. 1 Northern General Hospital, Newcastle, on 3rd April 1916 and is buried in Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham.
Article published 10th April 1916 in the Nottingham Daily Express reads :-
“DEATH OF BEESTON'S OLDEST SOLDIER.
“Military honours were accorded at the funeral of Corporal W. J. Sanders, of the Garrison Battalion of the K.O.Y.L.I., which took place at Beeston on Saturday afternoon. [8th April 1916] It is claimed that Sanders was Beeston's oldest soldier, having served 18 years in the Army, 12 of them in India. He rejoined in October, 1915, and his death took place at Newcastle from pneumonia.
“The firing party, the bearers, and the buglers were provided by the 3/5 Lincolns.”
Article courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebok pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918CTOBER
Walter James Saunders
Photo courtesy of Peter Gillings