Village memories: View to Hammersley Lane (picture from SWOP website)
Arthur Harry Saunders
Gunner 911100, Royal Field Artillery C Bty 265th Bde
Killed in action on 23rd Jul 1917 aged 34
Remembered with Honour Poperinge New Military Cemetery, Belgium
Grave or Memorial Reference II.E.21
Arthur Harry Saunders was born in Loudwater in 1881 to George and Elizabeth. By 1901 the head of the family was his widowed mother Elizabeth and he was living with her and his two brothers and one sister at Hammersely House in Loudwater. His occupation was shown as 'Fancy Chair Maker'. By 1911 his sister Edith was head of the family which was living at 4 Jessamine Cottages in Totteridge Avenue and Arthur's occupation had changed to 'Best Maker'. Arthur married Alice Perfect in 1911 and they had two children, Joyce in 1912 and George in 1914. Arthur was now working for William Bartlett & Son at their Sheraton Chair Works.
Arthur was also a prominent footballer in High Wycombe and played for Wycombe Wanderers reserve team between 1903 and 1906.
Arthur enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in High Wycombe in May 1916 but was not sent to France until April 1917. He was killed in action in Flanders by a shell burst above his trench as he attempted to move between shelters on 23rd July 1917 at the age of 34. A comprehensive and more lengthy account of his last moments and subsequent funeral service is contained in the newspaper cutting kindly supplied by Ann Davies which can be found under the Learn More button.
Arthur is Remembered with Honour in Poperinge New Military Cemetery, Belgium, grave reference II.E.21.
Note: The above information was revised in 2020.
Additional information taken from the Buckinghamshire Remembers website. (Not to be confused with Arthur Herbert Saunders on the High Wycombe War Memorial)
Name Arthur H SAUNDERS
Rank/Number Gunner 911100
Regiment Royal Field Artillery C Bty 265th Bde
Enlisted High Wycombe
Age/Date of death 34 23 Jul 1917
How died/ Killed in action France & Flanders
Last known address High Wycombe
Cemetery Poperinge New Military Cemetery, Belgium
Grave or Memorial Reference II.E.21
Location of memorial Loudwater
Date/Place of birth c1883 High Wycombe
Date/Place of baptism
Pre-war occupation of Casualty chair seat maker
Parents George & Elizabeth Saunders
Parent's occupation gardener
Parents’ Address (last known) 1911: 4 Jessamine Cotts, Totteridge Ave, High Wycombe
Wife Alice Saunders nee Perfect
Wife’s Address (last known) 177 Hardgate, Aberdeen
