The AIF Project

Colin SAUNDERS

Regimental number977
Date of birth14 April 1893
Place of birthUpper Liffey, Tasmania
SchoolUpper Liffey State School, Tasmania
ReligionMethodist
OccupationCane cutter
AddressGordon Vale, Cairns, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 7"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs C Saunders, Upper Liffey, Tasmania
Previous military serviceServed in the Tasmania Rangers.
Enlistment date21 August 1914
Place of enlistmentTownsville, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name9th Battalion, H Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/26/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board Transport A5 Omrah on 24 September 1914
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll9th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 25 April 1915
Place of death or woundingGallipoli, Turkey
Age at death22
Age at death from cemetery records22
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsThe Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 31), Gallipoli, Turkey

The Lone Pine Memorial, situated in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Anzac, is the main Australian Memorial on Gallipoli, and one of four memorials to men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Designed by Sir John Burnet, the principal architect of the Gallipoli cemeteries, it is a thick tapering pylon 14.3 metres high on a square base 12.98 metres wide. It is constructed from limestone mined at Ilgardere in Turkey.

The Memorial commemorates the 3268 Australians and 456 New Zealanders who have no known grave and the 960 Australians and 252 New Zealanders who were buried at sea after evacuation through wounds or disease. The names of New Zealanders commemorated are inscribed on stone panels mounted on the south and north sides of the pylon, while those of the Australians are listed on a long wall of panels in front of the pylon and to either side. Names are arranged by unit and rank.

The Memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches and tunnels which were the scene of heavy fighting during the August offensive. Most cemeteries on Gallipoli contain relatively few marked graves, and the majority of Australians killed on Gallipoli are commemorated here.

Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
57
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: John and Caroline SAUNDERS, Upper Liffey, Tasmania
Family/military connectionsBrother: 972A Pte Allen SAUNDERS, 9th Bn, returned to Australia, 18 September 1916.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 2 March 1915.

Reported missing, Gaba Tepe, 25 April 1915.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field in France, 5 June 1916, declared fate to be 'killed in action, 25 April 1915'.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2410809O, 1872 Pte A.S. HOODLESS, B Company, 9th Bn, 3 June 1916: 'Witness was a great friend of Saunders and made enquiries about him soon after the landing. Pte. A. Gilbert, 9th. Bn. told witness he had seen Saunders killed at Shrapnel Green, on the day of the landing. Witness said he was sure of the truth of this information. He described Saunders as a tall, slim, dark fellow, who came from Tasmania, but enlisted in Queensland. Witness said he believed that Saunders has a brother, who is a Sgt. Major or W.O. in the 9th. Bn.'

Second statement, 753 Pte W. ARTHUR, D Company, 9th Bn (patient, 18th General Hospital, Etaples, France), 30 June 1916: 'Witness said he saw Pte. C. Saunders, 977, at the front in France 6 weeks ago. He was sure of the name and number. Saunders was in the 1st. Div. H.Q. Police. He has a brother in the 9th. Bn, a Sgt. Major in D. Co. Saunders comes from Tasmania. He is a dark man, about 22 years of age. Height about 5 ft. 9. Witness seemed particularly reliable.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, SAUNDERS Colin
Red Cross File No 2410809O

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