George Saunders

A Gunner with 24th Siege Battery, George died on 22nd of September 1918 aged 40. 

George was born at Panxworth by Ranworth, Norfolk, on 10 May 1878, a son of William and Mary Saunders. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Beighton, on 25 July 1880 and his family lived at Beighton. On 16 October 1888 George became a pupil at Ranworth School. In 1891 his family lived at The Meadow, Ranworth, Norfolk. By 1901 they were living at The Marshes, Flixton, and George worked in a blacksmith’s shop. Later his family lived at 72 Kemps Heath, Oulton. On 13 August 1901 George married Ruth Agnes Coleby at Saint Mary’s Church, Blundeston, and in 1911 they lived at 3 Mill Cottages, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, and George was a blacksmith’s striker. 

George was a petroleum spirit worked when he attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 25 November 1915. He was placed on the Army Reserve and called up on 8 July 1916. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (R.G.A.), service number 102213, and was posted to 1 Depot. On 19 July he was posted to the Tynemouth R.G.A., and on 26 August to 217 Siege Battery. George had influenza and was admitted to 3 New Zealand Hospital, Codford, on 28 December and discharged on 18 January 1917 and was based at Portsmouth. He joined the Wessex R.G.A. on 10 February (possibly 378 Siege Battery). On 9 July he was posted to No 1 R.G.A. Depot. George was then posted to France, to serve with 268 Siege Battery, and arrived on 24 July 1917. On 3 September he received a shrapnel wound to his left thigh and admitted to 92 Field Ambulance before being sent to 39 Casualty Clearing Station. On 5 September he was transferred, via 33 Ambulance Train, to a General Hospital at Wimereux. He was evacuated to England on 9 September and admitted to Bath War Hospital the next day. He was discharged on 23 October. 

On 2 November 1917 he joined the Command Depot at Ripon. George returned to France on 5 February 1918 and joined 24 Siege Battery on 13 February. He was injured on 27 March but remained at duty. 

There is no war diary for George’s battery and no indication of what precisely happened to him other than that he was killed in action. He was buried at map reference 66c.X.9.d.5.6. and huis grave marked with a cross. Later he was reburied at Savy. 

In February 1919 Ruth wrote to the Army asking for socks and other items she knew had been bought by George for their son to be forwarded. The Army had no record of these items.