The Allan and Janet Woodliffe Collection of Medals Relating to the Reconquest and Pacification of the Sudan

Nine: Colonel Stuart McKenzie Saunders, Royal Army Medical Corps, a member of the first British Lions rugby team to tour Australia and New Zealand and a Doctor in the Sudan, who later served with the B.E.F. in 1940
1914-15 Star (Capt., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Capt.); Egypt, Order of the Nile, 4th Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon, minor enamel damage; Khedive’s Sudan 1910-22, 1 clasp, Darfur 1916, unnamed, mounted as worn; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed and unmounted, good very fine (9) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Allan and Janet Woodliffe Collection of Medals relating to the Reconquest and Pacification of The Sudan 1896-1956.

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Stuart McKenzie Saunders, was born in Devonport on 9 September 1883. An ‘all-round’ sportsman, Saunders was selected to play for Great Britain as a forward in the first rugby side to tour Australia and New Zealand in 1904. He played 13 games for the British Lions and played in two test matches against Australia. In 1906/7 he captained the Guy’s Hospital XV and also played for the Barbarians as well as for Devon and Kent. Studying medicine, he qualified from Guy’s Hospital in 1907 as a M.R.C.S. (Surg) and L.R.C.P.

As a newly qualified doctor and surgeon he joined the R.A.M.C. as a Lieutenant on 1 August 1908, being promoted to Captain in February 1912. He was seconded to the Egyptian Army, March 1911-March 1921. He served in the Sudan, in the Kordofan District, March-September 1912; Mongalla District, January-December 1913; and Kassala District, April 1914-August 1915. He then served in Gallipoli from 9 August 1915. Returning to the Sudan, he served in Darfur, October-December 1916; Kordofan District, January-December 1917; Darfur, January-April 1918, and Mongalla, July-December 1920.

At one time he was the Principal Medical Officer to the Egyptian Army. He was awarded the Order of the Nile, 4th Class on 28 March 1919; was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 29 March 1917 & 5 June 1919). Promoted to Major in March 1919, he left the Egyptian Army in March 1921 and returned to the U.K. before departing for India. Back in the U.K. at Colchester Military Hospital in July 1923, he was commended for his work in surgical charge in saving the life of Lieutenant D. F. Hall-Dare who suffered severe internal injuries as a result of a riding accident, and was not expected to live. Saunders retired on 30 December 1924 and was removed from the Reserve of Officers on 9 September 1938.

He was the Chief Medical Practitioner, Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, February-April 1927. In October 1939 he offered his services to the War Department, was accepted and re-joined the R.A.M.C. as a Major in November 1939. The following month he was posted to the B.E.F. in France as Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services. Following the German advance into France, Saunders was evacuated to England on 19 June 1940, probably as an evacuee from N.W. France (Operation Aerial). In July 1940 he became Officer Commanding 12th Holding Depot R.A.M.C. being promoted Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. He remained there until April 1943 when he became A.D.M.S. H.Q. West Riding District. On 28 September 1944 he was posted to the Middle Eastern Force as Commanding Officer No. 10 Brigade Hospital in Palestine, then No. 6 General Hospital, Jerusalem. On 11 September 1945 he became D.A.D.S., Boulogne area before retiring on 24 November 1945 as Hon Colonel - at the age of 62. Colonel Saunders died on 9 April 1973 at his home at Teignmouth, Devon, aged 89 years.

With a folder containing some copied research.