The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Five: Private C. E. Saunders, 1st Volunteer Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and City of London Imperial Volunteers, later 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Territorial Force)

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (339 Pte. C. E. Saunders, C.I.V.); 1914-15 Star (10. Pte. C. E. Saunders, Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10. Pte. C. E. Saunders. Midd’x R.; Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R (1958 Pte. C. E. Saunders 1/V.B. Middx: Regt.) mounted as worn, very fine (5) £240-£280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Charles Edward Saunders was born in Hornsey, Middlesex in 1869. A clerk by occupation, he joined the Highgate detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Middlesex Regiment on 2 November 1886 and served in South Africa with the Infantry Battalion of the City Imperial Volunteers during the Boer War. Extracts from Saunders’ letters from South Africa were published on eight separate occasions by the City Press.

One letter, appearing on 7 April 1900, contains Saunders’ account of the action at Britstown on 6 March 1900:
‘After describing the last engagement of the C.I.V., Private C. Saunders, writing from Britstown Camp on Sunday, 11th ult., says: “Fortunately for us they (the enemy) directed most of their shots at our artillery, but the few they sent at us burst unpleasantly close over our heads. A bullet from one of these hit poor old Kaye in the leg, and it seemed an awful time before the stretcher came up to take him back to the ambulance wagon, which had halted level with the artillery miles back. Several of our men, including Captain Bailey, worked like Trojans at the stretcher, and at one time it seemed doubtful if he (Kaye) would be got away in time, as by this time we had had the order to retire, and if he had been a heavier man they could not possibly have managed it. I regret to say that by this time it was as much as I could do to look after myself. An attack of diarrhoea two days previously had left me very seedy, and lying in that kopje in the boiling sun all those hours knocked the stuffing out of me. Two or three other of our men were wounded by bullets whilst lying in the exposed side of the kopje, and on the level ground at the base of it. It was down there that Hudson got his scalp wound from the hoof of one of the retiring mounted men’s horses...By this time a lot of our fellows were limp, and it was only the exertions of Captain Bailey (our Adjutant) that they were kept on the move at all. He is indeed a wonderful fellow, and the way he kept rallying us, alternately cursing and blackguarding as the occasion required, was a marvel...When we were eventually told to retire, some men on our extreme left did not hear the order, and continued to fire on the enemy, who had now lined the next ridge. The consequence was that when they fell back they were fired into by the whole ridge of Boers, and one man (Colour-Sergeant Taylor was seriously hit in the thigh). The only man to notice him drop was Bertie Willocks, who stayed behind and dressed his wounds in the midst of a perfect hail of Mauser and Martini bullets. Taylor at last ordered him away, and got back out of range, being eventually picked up by one of the Warwicks...Wilson was near me shooting away. He came over to where I lay and and tried to get me along but I refused to budge, so he quietly walked back to his rifle, and went on firing. Soon after a good Samaritan of the Warwicks rode up, and hailed with a strong Brummagem accent. ‘Wounded , Chum?’ I said ‘No, I only feel feint,’ but he insisted on my riding his horse back to camp...I hope to be in good form when we make another move.’

Notably Saunders’ brother - 343 Private A. T. Saunders - also served in the C.I.V. and was wounded at Britstown on 6 March 1900.

On 6 June 1900, the City Press printed a letter written by Saunders giving an interesting account of the work of the C.I.V. between Glen Camp and Wynberg. Other letters covered diverse topics including the rain and rough sleeping as the Field Column moved across country from De Aar to Prieka via Springfontein; the naming of Saunders’ Regimental comrades and their wounds; and his experiences acting as Commandant’s Orderly to Mackinnon.

After his return from South Africa, Saunders was entertained by the Highgate Detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Middlesex Regiment and also by the Highgate Tradesmen, by whom he was presented with a gold watch:
‘The Highgate Tradesmen entertained C. E. Saunders (eldest son of their fellow-tradesman C. Saunders) and his Highgate comrades. The menu cards, which will probably kept by many as a souvenir of the occasion, were printed and presented by Messrs. Woodbridge & Co. Private Saunders had the place of honour on the right of the chairman, and Mr. Charles Saunders [senior] was seated on the Chairman’s left. Private Saunders was presented with a handsome gold lever watch, and an illuminated address.’ (Hampstead & Highgate Express, 3rd November 1900 refers).

On 6 April 1908, Saunders attested for the 7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Territorial Force), as his former unit had become. Serving in “D” Company, he was chosen to represent the Corporals and Privates at the presentation of the Colours to H.M. the King at Windsor on 19 June 1909, and was in the Battalion detachment at the 1911 Coronation.

After the outbreak of the Great War, Saunders was embodied on 14 August 1914, sailing immediately for Gibraltar. He then served with his Battalion as part of the Expeditionary Force in France from 12 March 1915 until 5 April 1916, at which time he returned to England. He was discharged on 6 April 1916, time expired, at the age of 46 and was awarded a Silver War Badge. Always one of its best shots, he had served in the Battalion, as a Private, for 30 years.