Arthur Frederick Saunders VC (Ipswich (23 April 1879 – 30 July 1947) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Arthur trained for the Merchant Marine and joined the Royal Navy at age 15, serving for 15 years and reaching the rank of Petty Officer (2nd Class). Leaving the navy he worked for Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries. While at Ransomes, he joined the Territorial element of The Suffolk Regiment, the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. At the outbreak of war, he joined the Regular Army as a duration only soldier in a service battalion
His award came as a result of the Battle of Loos on the Western Front in September 1915. His battalion were supporting the advance of the Cameron Highlanders. He was 36 years old, and a sergeant in the 9th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, British Army in the on the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 26 September 1915 near Loos, France,
- "When his officer had been wounded during the attack, Sergeant Saunders took charge of two machine-guns and a few men and, although severely wounded in the thigh, closely followed the last four charges of another battalion, giving them all possible support. Later, when the remains of the battalion which he had been supporting was forced to retire, he stuck to one of his guns and in spite of his wound, continued to give clear orders and by continuous firing did his best to cover the retirement."
He was recovered by stretcher bearers from the Scots Guards. Common belief states that the wounds to his leg meant that it was amputated when he reached an Advanced Dressing Station. However, this is inaccurate. After medical attention and a period of convalescence his leg had become 3 inches shorter therefore he wore a medical boot to aid his walking.
In the Second World War he served in the Home Guard.
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