SAUNDERS, Percy Reuben


No.T/203957, Private, Percy Reuben SAUNDERS
Aged 31


1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
formerly No. 203059, 5th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 27th June 1918


Percy Reuben Saunders was born in Bottisham Lode (Newmarket Q1-1887 3B:522), son of Willian and Lois SAUNDERS (née AYRES ).

1891 census...Aged 4, he was at Heath Road, Bottisham Lode with his father William SAUNDERS [34] farm labourer and his mother Lois [33]. All three were born in Bottisham Lode

1901 census...Aged 14, a farm labourer, he was at Wheel Farm, Lode Fen, with his parents and sister Florence [20] born Lode

1911 census...Aged 24, a farm labourer, he was at Wheel Farm, Lode Fen with his parents.

He married Rose LAWRENCE [28-9-1888] in Q1 -1917, the sister of Herbert LAWRENCE. She was later at 48, Sydenham Park, London.


He enlisted in Enfield.
From the battalion war diary - The 1st Battalion, The Buffs, had moved into the line,relieving a French unit in the centre of the Dickebusch sector. The relief was completed by 2 am on 26th without incident. A.B.and C Coys were in front line from RIDGE WOOD to VIERSTRAAT and D Coy was in close support. The line was bad, no wire, no communications. Movement by day was impossible.
On 27th two men were killed by trench mortar fire. It was a very broken sector with much work to be done..




photo: Rodney Gibson



Percy Saunders is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, grave 11:E:14

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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