Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Gallipoli’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Captain (Quartermaster) W. Saunders, Hampshire Regiment, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Qr. Mr. & Lieut. W. J. Saunders. Hamps. R.’; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (3867 Sejt. W. Saunders, 2: Hampshire Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3867 Cr:-Serjt: W. Saunders. Hampshire Regt.); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut. W. J. Saunders. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Q.M. & Capt. W. J. Saunders.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3867 S.Mjr: W. J. Saunders. Hants: Regt.) mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, and both housed in separate Spink, London, leather cases, the Boer War awards polished and somewhat worn, with edge bruise to QSA, therefore nearly very fine, the other awards nearly extremely fine (7) £1,200-£1,600

M.C. London Gazette 2 February 1916:
‘For services rendered in connection with military operations in the field.’

The original recommendation states: ‘Military Cross awarded for operations at ANZAC on 21 August 1915 under Brigadier-General Russell, General Officer Commanding New Zealand Mounted Brigade.
When all other Officers of the 10th (Service) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment had become casualties, Captain Saunders took Command. He made all the preparations necessary within the Battalion for an attack on the Turkish Trenches, carried out a personal reconnaissance of the ground, obtaining valuable information, and led the Battalion into action.’

William John Saunders was born on 28 June 1874 and joined the Hampshire Regiment at the age of 18, serving with them throughout the Boer War. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 92 of April 1911, he was appointed Quartermaster of the 10th (Service) Battalion at the outbreak of the Great War, and served with them during the Great War at Gallipoli. Promoted Captain in 1917, for his services during the Great War he was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 28 January 1916 and 30 January 1919), the first for services at Gallipoli, and the latter for services with the British Salonika Force. He retired from the Army in 1920, and in later life was a prominent member of the British Legion. He died at Hedge End, Hampshire, on 20 November 1943.

Sold together with two portrait photographs of the recipient wearing his medals, both mounted in glazed display frames; original signed Recommendation for the Military Cross; various newspaper cuttings; and copied research.