Edmund Eric Saunders

Edmund was the son of Samuel and Agnes Judith Saunders (nee Smith). Samuel was born in Bulcote, Nottinghamshire, in about 1871 and Agnes Judith in Bingham (birth registered 1877 J/F/M Bingham). They were married in 1896 (J/A/S Bingham) and had at least seven children as recorded on the 1901 and 1911 Census: Edmund b. 1896 Carlton (O/N/D Basford), Agatha b. Carlton (birth registered 1898 J/F/M Basford); Dorothy b. 1899 Bingham (A/M/J Bingham), Arthur Leslie b. 6 January 1903 Netherfield (J/F/M Basford), Frederick Ivor b. 12 May 1905 Netherfield (A/M/J Basford), Raymond b.1906 Netherfield (O/N/D Basford) and Frank Alex b. 1908 Goldthorpe Doncaster (A/M/J Doncaster). In 1901 Samuel, an iron furnace labourer, and Agnes (24) were living at Southcliffe Road, Carlton, with their three children, Edmund (4), Agatha (3) and Dorothy (2). Subsequently they had four more sons; Arthur, Frederick, Raymond and Frank. Raymond was born in Netherfield in 1906 and some time after this the family moved to Balby where Samuel had probably moved to work at a new pit opening in Maltby, near Rotherham. The youngest boy, Frank, was born in Goldthorpe, Yorkshire, in 1908 and tragically Samuel was killed in a mining accident the following year on 31 March 1909 (see 'extra information'). His death was registered in Doncaster in A/M/J quarter and the death index gives his age as 38. Judith moved back to Nottingham with her young family and in 1911 was living in the household of her widowed brother-in-law, Joseph William Saunders, a colliery fireman, at 48 Park Lane, Old Basford, Nottingham. Joseph Saunders had also worked in the coal mining industry and on the occasions of the 1881, 1891 and 1901 Census was living with his wife, Hannah, and their children in colliery cottages at Newstead, Nottinghamshire. The date of Hannah's death has not yet been traced. The 1911 Census which Joseph completed recorded that his seven nephews and nieces were also in the household along with their mother; Edmund (14) an errand boy, Agatha (13) a tobacco sorter in a tobacco factory, Dorothy (12), Arthur (8), Frederick (5), Raymond (4) and Frank Alex (2). None of Joseph's older children were living with him but he had a 10-month old son William (birth registered 1910 A/M/J). Sadly, William died in 1911 aged one year (death registered O/N/D Nottingham). At the time of Edmund's death his mother's address was Vernon Road, Old Basford. Joseph William Saunders died in 1928 (September Nottingham) at the age of 74. Judith Agnes married in William Thomas Thornhill in 1935 (J/A/S Basford) and died aged 74 on 20 December 1951. Her husband survived her. Of Edmund's siblings: Agatha married Herbert Wilson in 1920 (O/N/D Nottingham) and died aged 62 on 29 February 1960. Arthur Leslie died aged 76 in 1979 (December Birmingham). Frederick Ivor died aged 79 on 4 March 1985 (March Nottingham). Raymond was married to Olive May and died aged 53 in 1959 (December Nottingham); his wife survived him. Frank Alex died aged 18 on 7 October 1926 (December Basford).

In 1911 he was an errand boy.

He enlisted in Nottingham.

attd. 41st Remounts. Army Service Corps. He died in 29 General Hospital Salonika of wounds received in action and was buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery.

On some early records, the surname is spelt 'Sanders', but Samuel's marriage was registered as 'Saunders'. Nottingham Evening Post, 1 April 1909: ‘Pit Shaft Disaster. Three men instantly killed. Three men engaged in the sinking of a new colliery at Maltby, near Rotherham yesterday [31 March], lost their lives by being thrown from the ‘hoppit’ in which they were being drawn to the surface. The ‘hoppit’ when approaching the top of the shaft, began to violently oscillate. It is supposed that it struck the side of the shaft, with the result that the occupants were thrown out. One man managed to retain his hold upon a rope, and afterwards was drawn to the surface, but not before he had sustained injuries which soon caused death. Two other men were precipitated to the bottom of the shaft, and instantly killed. The victims were Samuel Saunders, aged 35 (sic), of 23, Ronald-road, Balby, Doncaster; Charles Simons, aged 37, of 37, Ronald-road Balby; and Arthur Horton, aged 36, of South Elmsall. All three were pit-sinkers, and married men with families.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 14 March 1917: ‘Saunders. Died from wounds received in action, March 3rd, Edmund Eric, Hussars, aged 20 years, beloved eldest son of Agnes Saunders, Vernon-avenue, Basford, and the late Samuel Saunders, Balby, Doncaster. Peace, perfect peace, from this dark world of strife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 14 March 1917: ‘Saunders. Died in the field from wounds, March 3rd. Edmund Eric Saunders, Hussars, age 20, the dear beloved grandson of Mr and Mrs Edmund Smith, Bingham. Peace, perfect peace, from this dark world of strife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother was his legatee. Probate: Thornhill Agnes Judith of 74 Dunstan-street Netherfield Nottinghamshire (wife of WilliamThomas Thornhill) died 20 December 1951 at The City Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 21 January to the said William Thomas Thornhill retired telephonist. Effects £110 12s. 9d. Revoked 13 April 1953. New Grant 2 May 1953. Probate: Thornhill Agnes Judith of 31 Baslow-drive Lenton Abbey estate Nottingham (wife of William Thomas Thornhill) died 20 December 1951 at The City Hospital Nottingham Probate Nottingham 2 May to Herbert Wilson [son-in-law] corporation estates foreman and William Lawrence Godfrey foreman painter. Effects £239 18s. 7d. Former Grant DR Nottingham 21 January 1952 Revoked.