Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Battle of Fromelles’ M.M. awarded to Company Quarter Master Sergeant W. Saunders, 57th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for the rescue of at least 30 men from No Man’s Land between 19 - 22 July 1916. He was wounded in action, 29 September 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (4588 Cpl. W. Saunders. 57/Aust: Inf: Bn:) contact marks, nearly very fine £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘At Petillon during the period from 19th to 22nd July 1916 Corporal Saunders, by his example and his own splendid efforts, was responsible for the recovery of at least 30 men from 'No Man's Land'. He was probably the first man in this portion of the line who went out to aid and bring in the wounded.’

William Saunders was born in Myamyn, Victoria, in 1885, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Melbourne, 9 September 1915. He served with the 57th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 15th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division in the French theatre of war from June 1916.

Saunders was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry at Petillon, as part of the Battle of Fromelles, Somme, 19 - 22 July 1916. As the least damaged Battalion of the Division it fell to the 57th to be the rescuers of their fallen comrades. The 57th were awarded 4 M.M.s for the Battle of Fromelles.

Saunders was promoted Corporal in the field, 23 October 1916, and to Sergeant in the field, 14 November 1916. He subsequently served as Temporary Company Quarter Master Sergeant, and was wounded in action, 29 September 1918. Saunders returned to Australia in the S.S. Ascanius, 9 February 1919.