Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private W. Saunders, Lancashire Fusiliers, severely wounded at Arras, 21 October 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (699 Pte. W. Saundes. 2/Lan: Fus.) last letter of surname overstruck; British War and Victory Medals (699 Pte. W. Saunders. Lan. Fus.) good very fine (3) £120-160

William Saunders attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers on 19 June 1905, and served with the 1st Battalion in India for 6 years from 27 November 1907 to 5 February 1914. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 5 April 1914, he was recalled to the Colours on 5 August 1914, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 September 1914. He was severely wounded by gunshot and shellfire to the left elbow and left thigh at Arras on 21 October 1914, which resulted in him spending six weeks in No. 11 General Hospital in France, permanently losing the use of his left arm, and having to have his left leg amputated above the knee. Returning to the U.K. on 3 December 1914, he recovered further in No. 1 Hospital, Exeter, before being discharged on account of his wounds on 24 July 1915, being awarded a Silver War Badge. He died in Blackburn, Lancashire, on Christmas Day 1950.

Sold together with a copy of the recipient’s Medical History, which gives graphic details regarding his injuries; the recipient’s Certificates of Service and Discharge; Third Class Certificate of Education; Pensions Appeal Tribunal letter; Lancashire Fusiliers letter of Reference, dated Karachi, 14 January 1914; and two newspaper cuttings containing photographs of the recipient, the first entitled ‘Gallant Men of Mons’, featuring members of the Blackburn Old Contemptibles’ Association; and the other entitled ‘A Patriotic Blackburn Family’, featuring the recipient, his father, and two brothers, all of whom were under arms in the Great War.