| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2018.79.5 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | c 1921-1922 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Next of kin plaque: Gunner Arthur Edwin Warwick Saunders, 37th Battery, 10th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF
Description
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'ARTHUR EDWIN WARWICK SAUNDERS'. The plaque is set into the lid of a wooden display case.
History / Summary
Born in Barraba, New South Wales, Arthur Edwin Warwick Saunders described himself as a labourer (his family later described him as a grazier) when he enlisted in the AIF at Inverell, on 3 August 1915. After initial training he was posted a private, service number 2151, to the 3rd Reinforcements for 30th Battalion. The unit sailed for overseas service from Sydney on 16 February 1916, aboard HMAT A70 Ballarat.
Saunders arrived in Egypt on 23 March and was almost immediately transferred as a gunner to 37th Battery, 10th Field Artillery Brigade. He was mustered as a driver shortly before the battery arrived in France, for service on the Western Front, on 16 June. A year later he reverted to the rank of gunner, at his own request.
Saunders was killed on 23 September 1917, on the Menin Road near Ypres, Belgium, when he was taking ammunition up to the battery gun pits with a four-horse team. He had volunteered to take another driver's place so that he could rest, as that man had already worked the previous night and was detailed to do so again the following night. As the team were passing through Ypres a shell dropped next to the wagon killing one of the lead horses ridden by Saunders. An NCO's horse was put into the team and again ridden by Saunders. About a mile further on another shell exploded next to the wagon killing Saunders instantly. He was 23 years old. Saunders is buried in the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery south west of Ypres.
This memorial plaque was sent to his father, Robert Henry Saunders, in October 1922.