The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra
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Trooper Alfred Saunders |
Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Alfred Harold Hotspur Saunders
Ancestor's date of birth: 13/12/1880
Ancestor's date of death: 17/08/1963
Cause of Death: Bronchial Pneumonia
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Alfred was born in the Parish of Fulham, County of Middlesex England. His Father was Tailor, working in Chelsea, London. Alfred was one of ten (10) children. Alfred, joined the Army on 18 February 1897 in London into the 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars for 12 years. He enlisted as a musician, regimental number 4610. His first overseas tour of duty was to India, he was stationed in Lucknow in 1897. He was transferred with his unit to South Africa, service starting from 15 Oct 1898 until returning to UK (Aldershot) on 31 Oct 1902.
Service Number: 4610
Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia, Place of Enlistment: London
Unit: 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1898
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): TPR, Date Effective: 1914
Murray Page: Not applicable, did not serve in an Australian unit.
Contingent: Not applicable.
Ship: Unit was in South Africa when the war started.
Memorial details: The Light Dragoons Museum, Barnsley UK
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Natal and Belfast clasps; King's South Africa Medal with SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps. 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. (Also the Silver war badge and 'Old Contemptables' badge.)
Personal Characteristics: Trooper 18th Hussars.
Reasons to go and fight: A serving British regular soldier.
Details of service in war: The 18th Hussars were at Glencoe north east of Ladysmith when the war commenced. They were constantly engaged from the siege of Ladysmith until the armistice in May 1902 in Natal and eastern Transvaal.
Service and life after the Boer War: He was subsequently discharged on return from South Africa but was re-enlisted for WW1 (new regimental number 47111). He was hospitalised in 1915 due to the effects of Gas. He was eventually discharged in 1919. After the war he worked as an Inspector for Mental Health at an asylum in Surrey.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Alaistair H.M Saunders, Bundanoon NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
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