Name
Ernest Saunders
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/04/1915
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1488
Lancashire Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HELLES MEMORIAL
Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial to the fallen on the Gallipoli Peninsular, Turkey.
UK & Other Memorials
St Ippolyts Village Memorial, Roll of Honour, St Ippolyts Church, Not on the Hitchin memorials(*1)
Pre War
Ernest Saunders was born in 1891, in Hitchin(*1), Herts, son of Henry and Ginetta Eugenie Saunders.
The 1891 Census records Ernest aged 5 months, living with his parents and elder brother Bertie (1) at, Pond Cottage, Gosmore, St Ippolyts / St Ippollitts, Herts.
The 1901 Census records Ernest aged 10, living with his widower grandfather Alfred William Saunders, his elder brother Bertie (12), is also living with his grandfather in, Gosmore Mill Lane, St Ippolyts, Herts.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London; He was posted to the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, with the service number 1488.
He was killed in Action on the 25th April 1915, (the day he arrived) when he and his Battalion, stormed “W” Beach, West of Cape Helles, Gallipoli, from their landing craft. Ernest has no known grave; he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial to the fallen on the Gallipoli Peninsular, Turkey.
Additional Information
*1 Although recorded as born in Hitchin, it is possible that this was recorded as the nearest 'large' town or ‘postal’ town to St Ippolyts. His mother Eugenie received his effects of £7-14s-8d, pay owing and a War Gratuity of £5. The 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were part of the British 86th Brigade, 29th Division. They embarked for Gallipoli via Egypt on the 16th March 1915. The Battalion left their two-naval transport ships and went ashore in small landing craft on the 25th April 1915, where they met heavy resistance from the Ottomans. Six members of the Battalion would be awarded VCs for their actions on that day. “W” Beach was later renamed “Lancashire Landing”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Stuart Osborne
