Francis Frederick Saunders
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Francis Frederick (Frank) was the son of John and Mary Ann Saunders nee Clark. John Saunders was born in Nottingham and Mary Ann Clark in Worcester. They were married in Nottingham in 1894 (marriage registered J/A/S Nottingham). According to the 1911 Census when they had been married for 16 years, they had had 7 children of whom only five were still living: Arthur (birth registered 1896 J/F/M), Francis Frederick (b. 1897), John (b. 1898), Jane Annie (b. 1901) and Herbert (b. 1902). All the children were born in Radford. In 1901 John (28), a cycle hand, and Mary Ann (25) were living at 2 Kensington Square, Old Radford. They had three sons, Arthur (5), Frank (3) and John (2). Also in the household were two boarders, Frank Clark (20, b. Worcester) a newsagent, and Lizzie Lambert (20) a laundress. By 1911 the family was living at 8 Abbey Buildings, Old Radford. John and Mary now had five children; Arthur (15) a cycle hand, Frank (13) a toy maker, John (12), Jane (9) and Herbert (8). Frank's older brother Arthur served in the 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (265191 Private) and was killed in action on 1 July 1916 (Thiepval Memorial). Their brother, John, also probably served.
'C' Coy. He is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father, John, was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post ‘In Memoriam’, Tuesday 17 July 1917: ‘Saunders. In loving memory of Private Frank Saunders, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action July 17th 1916 of Abbey Building, Ilkeston-road, aged 19. Days of sadness still come o’er us, tears of sorrow often flow; memory keeps our loved one near us, whom God claimed one year ago. Loving mother, father, sister, brothers and Florrie.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post ‘In Memoriam’, 17 July 1918: ‘Saunders. In loving memory of Private Frank Saunders, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action July 17th 1916. Though death divides, fond memory clings. From sorrowing mother, father, sister and brothers, Jack [John] (in Germany) and Florrie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
