Lives of the First World War

Source information

ID: 3905858

Reference: WO372/17

Title: Medal Index Card

Description: Medal index cards were created by the Army Medal Office towards the end of the First World War. They record the medals that men and women who served in the First World War were entitled to claim.

UPP: GBM/MCI/3909669

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9210144

Reference: wwisd

Title: Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBM/WWISD/0506712

Additional: His name fits with the seed record for this life story, as do his Service Number and Regiment. This record also fits with his Service Record.

Credit: © Naval and Military Press Ltd

Source information

ID: 9210146

Reference: gbm_wo363-4

Title: British Army Service Records 1914-1920 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBM/WO363-4/7310540/7/225

Additional: His name fits. His regiment and service number fit with the seed record for this life story.

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9212820

Name: Saunders, Alfred, C.S.M. 2nd Bn KRRC, #112 b Winchester

Title: Soldiers Died in the Great War

Description: Soldiers Died in the Great War for Company Sergeant Major Alfred Saunders, #112, 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, who died of wounds in France and Flanders, 24th November 1915. He was born in Winchester, resident in Folkestone and enlisted at Warrington.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=1543&h=506712&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=BAW4&_phstart=successSource
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits. His place of birth, regiment and service number fit with the seed record for this life story and with his Service Record, which shows ranks of both CSM and WO2.

Source information

ID: 9212832

Name: Rec 283899, Reg. E147573/1 Saunders, Alfred, C.S.M. 2nd Bn KRRC, #112

Title: Register of Soldiers' Effects

Description: Register of Soldiers' Effects entry for Company Sergeant Major Alfred Saunders, #112, 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, who died of wounds 24th November 1915. His Administratrix was his widow Lil(l)ian.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/60506/42511_6117462_0055-00186?pid=490829&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DBAW8%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D60506%26gsfn%3DAlfred%26gsln%3DSaunders%26cp%3D0%26msbdy%3D1883%26msbpn__ftp%3Dwinchester,%2520hampshire,%2520england%26msbpn%3D84194%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26redir%3Dfalse%26gss%3Dangs-d%26pcat%3D39%26fh%3D7%26h%3D490829%26recoff%3D3%25204%26ml_rpos%3D8&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=BAW8&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name, regiment and service number fit the seed record for this life story. The date of his death and his widow's name fits with his CWGC Casualty Record and with his Service Record, which shows ranks of both CSM and WO2.

Source information

ID: 9212844

Name: Saunders, Alfred, Sgt. 2/KRRC, #112

Title: Medal Roll Index Card image

Description: Medal Roll Index Card image for Sergeant Alfred Saunders, #112, 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, who first served overseas 13th August 1914 and was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. It records that he died of wounds and indicates that his final rank was Warrant Officer Class 2.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1262/30850_A001371-00026?pid=10972760&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D1262%26h%3D10972760%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DBAW13%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=BAW13&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name, regiment, service number and final rank fit with the seed record for this life story. His death from wounds fits with his 'Register of Soldiers' Effects' entry. The information here fits with his Service Record.

Source information

ID: 9212872

Name: Year 1916, p 154. Saunders, Alfred of Blackdown near Aldershot, Hampshire d. 21st November 1915

Title: National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations)

Description: National Probate Calendar entry for Saunders Alfred of Blackdown near Aldershot Hampshire died 21 November 1915 at No 2 Field Ambulance Woeux-les-Mines France Administration (with Will) London 4 July to Lillian Saunders widow. Effects £225.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1904/31874_222430-00159?pid=395862&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db%3DUKProbateCal%26h%3D395862%26indiv%3Dtry%26o_vc%3DRecord:OtherRecord%26rhSource%3D1543&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: Alfred's name fits and his widow's name fits that given in his Service Record. This record is not a perfect fit as the date given is 21st, not 24th, November and the place of death is recorded Woeux-les-Mines, rather than Noeux-les-Mines, which would match the name of the cemetery named in his CWGC entry, but these are believed to be errors between the original document and its printing in the National Probate Calendar entry.

Source information

ID: 9212878

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1883/2/AZ/000512/063

Additional: His name fits. His year and place of birth fit with his Service Record and his 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' entry.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212883

Reference: 1891gbc

Title: 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1891/0009449651

Additional: His name fits. His age and place of birth fit with his Birth Record and his Service Record. His parents and siblings are also named on his Service Record and their address in 1893 given as Studham.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212886

Reference: 1901gbc

Title: 1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1901/0033984131

Additional: The 1901 Census for Alfred's parents and two younger brothers still living in Studham. Their names fit with the family's 1891 Census return, which includes Alfred Jnr, and with Alfred's Service Record in which they are named. Their residence in Studham fits with his Service Record and the family's 1891 Census.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212890

Reference: 1911gbc

Title: 1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1911/RG14/08993/0155/2

Additional: The 1911 Census return for Alfred's mother and youngest brother still living in Studham. This fits with the family's 1901 Census return which shows the same address and their 1891 Census return which includes Alfred. It also fits with Alfred's Service Record in which they are named.

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9212897

Reference: bmd_overseas_births_1

Title: British armed forces and overseas births and baptisms Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/OVS/REG1/002725/030

Additional: Records the birth of Alfred's sister Lucy. Her name and year of birth and the Registration District fit with her entry in the family's 1891 Census return.

Source information

ID: 9212900

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1887/2/AZ/000508/023

Additional: Records the birth of Alfred's sister Ellen. Her name, year and quarter of birth and the Registration District fit with her entry in the family's 1891 Census return.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212904

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1889/2/AZ/000509/342

Additional: Records the birth of Alfred's brother Edward. His name, the year and quarter of birth and the Registration District fit with the family's 1891 and 1901 Census returns.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212905

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1894/1/AZ/000512/010

Additional: Records the birth of Alfred's brother William. His name, the year and quarter of birth and the Registration District fit with his family's 1901 and 1911 Census returns.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212907

Reference: bmd_marriages

Title: England & Wales marriages 1837-2005 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/M/1911/4/AZ/000843/145

Additional: Records Alfred's marriage to Lilian Malin. This fits with information in his Service Record, in which Lilian is named. Her Christian name is shown as his widow in his 'Register of Soldiers' Effects' and National Probate Calendar entries.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9212910

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1912/3/AZ/001182/044

Additional: Records the birth of Alfred and Lilian's son David. His mother's maiden name is given, matching that in his parents' Marriage record. His name and year of birth fit with information in Alfred's Service Record.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9219366

Name: CSM Saunders, A, #112, 2nd Bn. KRRC, d. 24/11/1915

Title: CWGC Casualty Record Alfred Saunders

Description: CWGC Casualty Record for Company Sergeant Major Alfred Saunders, #112, 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, died (of wounds) 24th November 1915 aged 33. He was the husband of Lilian Saunders, of Stretton, Burton-on-Trent.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/466149/saunders,-/
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits. His military details of regiment and service number fit with the seed record for this life story. His wife's Christian name fits with that given in his Service Record. Details of his death are confirmed by his 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' and 'Register of Soldiers' Effects' entries.

Source information

ID: 9219372

Name: Pte SAUNDERS, William Harry, #29372 1/8 R Warks. R, d. 07/10/1917

Title: CWGC Casualty Record Brother William

Description: CWGC Casualty Record for Alfred's brother Private William Harry Saunders, #29372 1st/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died 7th October 1917 and commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/828722/
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits Alfred's brother William. His 'Register of Soldiers' Effects' entry lists their mother Emily as his legatee. Both brothers are commemorated on the Memorial in Studham Church and William is also commemorated on Studham War Memorial, having lived in Studham until he joined up.

Source information

ID: 9219374

Name: 35 Ringshall, Berkhamsted R.D., Schedule 189.1

Title: 1939 Register entry Brother Edward

Description: 1939 Register entry for Alfred's brother Edward Saunders b. 26th March 1889, a Haulage Contractor Coal Merchant, his wife Ellen b. 8th May 1882 and their daughter Edna K. b. 26th May 1914, a Laundry Hand, living at 35 Ringshall.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=tna%2fr39%2f1649%2f1649e%2f004&parentid=tna%2fr39%2f1649%2f1649e%2f004%2f17
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: Edward's name and age fit that of Alfred's brother in the family's 1891 and 1901 Census returns. This record fits with Edward's 1911 Census return where his place of birth is recorded as Studham and he is living at this address.

Source information

ID: 9219378

Reference: gbm_wo363-4

Title: British Army Service Records 1914-1920 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBM/WO363-4/7319967/23/673

Additional: Service Record of Alfred's brother Edward. His name and place of birth fit with the family's 1891 and 1901 Census returns. His wife and son are named, fitting with his 1911 Census return.

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9219443

Name: 29 Stanbury Crescent, Folkestone, Kent, Schedule 11.3

Title: 1939 Register entry Widow Lillian, Son and Daughter-in-Law

Description: 1939 Register entry for Alfred's widow Lillian Saunders b. 1st August 1883, a Catering Manageress, their married son David M Saunders b. 16th July 1912, a Detective Officer and his wife Marjorie F.L. Saunders b. 21st January 1913, living at 29 Stanbury Crescent, Folkestone, Kent.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=tna%2fr39%2f1721%2f1721g%2f002&parentid=tna%2fr39%2f1721%2f1721g%2f002%2f28
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: Alfred's widow's name fits and her status is widowed. Their son David's name also fits and his date of birth on the original image matches that in Alfred's Service Record. They are still living in Folkestone which was given as Alfred's residence on his 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' entry.

Source information

ID: 9219444

Reference: 1911gbc

Title: 1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBC/1911/RG14/04649/0039/21

Additional: His name fits. His rank - Serjeant Cook and trade - Cook as well as his home service in Kent at this time fit with his Service Record.

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9219497

Title: The KRRC Statue, Winchester

Description: A document showing the KRRC Statue erected in the Cathedral Close at Winchester, with the text "in memory of those gallant officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and riflemen who fell during the Great War 1914-1918". It is not known when the family obtained this document but the statue was unveiled 26th May 1922

Connected by: Jane31029

Source information

ID: 9219498

Title: The King's Royal Rifle Corps War Memorials

Description: Information sent to the families of those members of the King's Royal Rifle Corps who died during the First World War, giving details of the two War Memorials at Winchester, the Bronze Statue of a Rifleman and the Roll of Honour, and of their unveiling. The final paragraph reads "The accompanying Memorial Card is presented by Field-Marshall Lord Grenfell, Senior Colonel Commandant, and all Ranks of the Regiment, in glorious memory of their Comrades, and in commemoration of the above event" i.e. the unveiling, on Wednesday May 24th 1922.

Connected by: Jane31029

Additional: The document has been provided by the great niece of Arthur Bertram Gentle, another member of the King's Royal Rifle Corps who lived in Little Gaddesden and was killed in action, on 31st August 1916. It links to all members of the KRRC who died during the First World War.

Source information

ID: 9219502

Name: 2nd Bn. KRRC, #112 Boy Saunders A.

Title: Military Campaign Medal and Award Roll S Africa 1899 - 1902

Description: Military Campaign Medal and Award Roll for South Africa 1899 - 1902 which shows that #112 Boy A Saunders, 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps was awarded the South Africa Medal with clasps for Transvaal, Defence of Ladysmith and Laing's Nek.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1686/31794_221480-00188?pid=1603059&backurl=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DhGc23%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26indiv%3D1%26db%3DCampaignMedalRolls%26gss%3Dangs-d%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26gsfn%3DAlfred%26gsfn_x%3D0%26gsln%3DSaunders%26gsln_x%3D0%26msidy%3D1905%26msidy_x%3D1%26msidp%3D10%26gskw%3DLong%2520Service%2520and%2520Good%2520Conduct%2520Medal%25201919%26_F4E2F07A%3D112%26MSAV%3D1%26uidh%3Disj%26pcat%3D39%26fh%3D3%26h%3D1603059%26recoff%3D%26ml_rpos%3D4&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=hGc23&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name, rank, regiment and battalion together with the clasps awarded match information in his Service Record. His name, regiment and service number match the seed record for this life story.

Source information

ID: 9219510

Reference: bmd_births

Title: England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: BMD/B/1883/3/AZ/000354/279

Additional: Records the birth of Alfred's wife Lilian Malin. The name fits with their marriage record and information in Alfred's Service Record. Her place of birth fits with her address after Alfred's death as shown in his Service Record and CWGC Casualty entry. Her year of birth fits with her 1939 Register entry.

Credit: © General Register Office

Source information

ID: 9224161

Name: Luton's Great War told by its people today. CSM Alfred Saunders, #112, 2nd Bn KRRC

Title: World War One Great War Stories: Company Sergeant Major Alfred Saunders

Description: A summary of the military service of CSM Alfred Saunders, #112, 2nd Bn, KRRC, died of wounds in France Nov 24 1915. His wife had travelled to Victoria Station in London on November 25th to meet her husband when he was due to come home on leave. When he did not arrive, her worst fears were confirmed when she later learned he had died the day before from a bullet wound to the head. CSM Saunders served in the KRRC for 18 years, having enlisted as a bugler aged 14. His father Alfred had served in the same regiment for over 23 years, including in the Zulu Wars. The 32-year-old Alfred also served in South Africa during the Boer War, and was the youngest boy in Ladysmith when that city was besieged. Subsequently he accompanied Boer prisoners to Ceylon, and afterwards saw service in India. He was among the first batch of British troops to be sent to France in August 1914 and was in the thick of fighting from the first. He last came home on a few days' leave in November 1914.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: http://www.worldwar1luton.com/individual/company-sergeant-major-alfred-saunders
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name and details of his regiment and service number fit the seed record for this life story. Details of his birth, upbringing in Studham, mother, wife and son match other records e.g. Census returns and his Service Record.

Source information

ID: 9366427

Title: Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais 1

Description: Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France where Alfred Saunders is honoured and buried.

Connected by: Vincent96527

Source information

ID: 9366428

Title: Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais 2

Description: Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France where Alfred Saunders is honoured and buried.

Connected by: Vincent96527

Source information

ID: 9366429

Title: 1914 Star

Description: 1914 Star, similar to the one which would have been awarded to Alfred Saunders.

Connected by: Vincent96527

Source information

ID: 9366430

Title: King’s Royal Rifle Corps Cap Badge

Description: King’s Royal Rifle Corps Cap Badge, similar to the one which would have been worn by Alfred Saunders.

Connected by: Vincent96527

Source information

ID: 9394824

Name: Saunders Alfred, CSM 112, 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.

Title: Roll of Honour Studham Bedfordshire

Description: Website detailing the Roll of Honour for Studham, which includes CWGC information and the photographs in the church of all those killed in the First World War. There is an entry and a photograph for Alfred Saunders. His brothers Edward, who survived the war and William Harry, who died, are also named on the Roll of Honour.

Connected by: Jane31029

URL: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Bedfordshire/StudhamRollofHonour.html
IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Additional: His name fits and his inclusion on the Studham Memorials on the Village Green and in the Church fits with his mother's residence in Studham.