No.642, Lance Corporal, James SANDERSON
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There was another James SAUNDERSON, born West Wratting (according to "Soldiers Died) who was killed on 1st July 1916 in the Suffolk Regiment but he was actually born in West Wickham and apparently is named on Melbourn memorial. This Australian soldier is the one on the West Wratting memorial.
James Potter Sanderson was born in West Wratting, (Linton Q3-1884 3B:524) son of Joseph and Mahala SANDERSON (née POTTER). The family varies from Sanderson to Saunderson at various stages. His mother, aged 40, died in Q4-1886. 1891 census...Aged 6, he was at Manor Well Cottages, The Green, West Wratting with his widower father Joseph SAUNDERSON [45] farm labourer; his brother Walter M [16] farm labourer; his sister Lydia P [14]. All were born in West Wratting. His father married Mary Ann GUYMER (née MYNOTT) in Q4-1895. She had previously been married to Charles GUYMER who died in 1890 1901 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was at Manor Well Cottage, The Green, West Wratting with his father, step-mother Mary Ann [55] born West Wickham; sister Alice, brother Walter and Joseph's grandson Bertie SAUNDERSON [3] born Brentford. no parentage is recorded for Bertie. 1911 census...Aged 26, a domestic gardener,he was at West Wratting with his father (now a cow man); his stepmother; brother Walter (farm labourer) and Herbert (Bertie), Joseph's grandson. Two of Joseph's 7 children had died Possibly he was the James Potter, born 1884,farmer, who sailed from London to Sydney on 6th November 1913. |
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He enlisted in Liverpool, New South Wales on 6th February 1915 giving his age as 30 years 6 months. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed 160 lbs, chest 33"
to 36", brown eyes and hair, Church of England . Father Joseph of West Wratting.
In Gallipoli by 16th August 1915, he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 28th August. Taken ill he was admiited to No.5 Field Ambuklance on 24th November and then via HMHS "Dongola" on 30th, arriving at Greek Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt on 5th December. From there he went to Mustapha on 15th and then 2 Australian General Hospital on 17th. Then he went to No 4 Auxilliary Mumps Hospital, Abbassia and on 30th December was released to duty at Ghezirah where he was taken on strength on 20th January. He was at Moascar on 7th March 1916 before joining the B.E.F. at Alexandria on 18th March, arriving in Marseilles on 28th March and was killed in action just one month later. His effects, returned to his father consisted of Testament, watch and chain, badge, leather belt with badges, purse, tin cigarette case, note book, cards, wallet and letters. In 1931 the Army seems to have found a savings account in his name, he had deposited £47 in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Liverpool New South Wales. The outcome was that the whole amount in his account (£112) had been recovered in 1918 and sent to his father in West Wratting. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal. The battalion were near Bois Grenier and on 28th April the war diary has:- "Trenches..28/4/16..10 am..Several enemy shells landed near EMMA POST. No damage 10:30 am 24 HE fell upon parapet of salient, doing slight damage to parapet 7:40 pm "C" Coy relieved by "B" Coy in SALIENT 9:20 pm Our patrol left; met by enemy patrol of 12 menm causing it to be dispersed by our Lewis Gun fire. CWGC shows just James killed that day. photo: Suzanne Langford photo: Rodney Gibson photo:Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
