Newspaper clippings

TRIBUTES FROM OFFICERS.

His many Dartmouth friends will hear with sincere regret of the death of Private Wilfred Saunders, O Co. 2/5 Gloucester Regiment, within a few days of his nineteenth birthday, so well known was he by all in the town and much esteemed on account of his cheery, happy disposition.
       Deceased was one of many of our Dartmouth lads who have been called to make the great sacrifice. During our last great push in France Saunders was shot by a sniper, and died soon after being hit. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Saunders and family, of Newcomen Lodge, Newcomen  Rd.
       The sad news was broken by the platoon officer, who wrote to his parent as follows:¾

                                                                                                                          “France 5-9-18
      “Dear Mrs. Saunders,¾I very deeply regret that I am obliged to write you a letter of sympathy because you have lost your son. I am his platoon officer, and knowing of his courage, cheeriness, and good-heartedness as a comrade I can judge how great is your loss. I can say very little, but I can and do pray that God may comfort you in the way that He alone can.
      “Your son was hit in the back by a sniper on September 2nd. He lived for an hour and half, and was talking bravely to us, and saying how sorry he was to go from the platoon. I cannot tell you how much we shall miss him¾he was so cheery, so unselfish, that his loss is no ordinary one to us. The men of the Lewis gun team, of which he was part, thought very highly of your son. I can only pray that God will comfort you in your loss. You have sacrificed him for the general good¾for his country’s sake: for those who shall follow us, that life may be worth living for them. I know the blow will be not the less hard to bear, but may the remembrance that our fight is for righteousness mingle price with pain. He told me his faith was in Christ, and none who trust in the Son of God can be lost. His Word assures us! Thus we who seek to follow Christ can look forward to a [illegible].
     “I pray for you, for I realize in a little measure your pain.   
                                                                                                             “Believe me
                                                                                                      “Very sincerely yours,
                                                                                             “H.G. MANSFIELD, Lieutenant.”

       A letter was also received by the bereaved parents for the padre, C.E Hamilton, O.F., in which appears the following:¾

“I took the service in the little orchard cemetery, and the battalion is putting up a simple wooden cross. Your boy was so keen and eager and doing so well.”

       Much sympathy has also been expressed for the elder brother, with whom deceased formerly worked in the tobacconist and hairdressing business at St George’s Square, and who is himself in hospital “somewhere in France”.
       Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Saunders received this morning from the War Office the official news of the death of their son.

DEATH

SAUNDERS.¾ February 22nd, at Newcomen Lodge, William James P., beloved husband of A. M. Saunders, aged 71. Funeral on Sunday at 2 p.m. Friends please accept this, the only intimation. "For ever with the Lord."

FUNERAL AT THE CEMETARY

       The funeral of the late Mr. W. J. P. Saunders, of Newcomen Lodge, Dartmouth, took place on Sunday at the Cemetary, the officiating minister being the Rev. T. E. Damerell. Deceased, who was 71 years old, died on February 22nd from pneumonia after a few days’ illness.
       The mourners were: Mr S. J. Saunders, son; Mrs. G. Fisher (Brixham), daughter; Mr. R. E. Saunders, son; Miss L. N. Saunders, daughter; Miss L. P. Saunders, daughter; Mr. R. Saunders, brother; Mr. E. Saunders, nephew; Mrs. S. J. Saunders, daughter-in-law; Mr. G. Fisher, son-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. A Phillips, Mr. J. Phillips, and Mr. and Mrs. S. Phillips, Brixham.
       Floral tributes were sent by: Wife and family; Ethel, Nellie and Hetty, nieces; Sam, Martha and family; Mr. and Mrs. Helmore; Mr. and Mrs. Gifford and family; Mr. Arnold; Mr. & Mrs. Cawse and Dot; Doris and Jack; Mrs. Harris; Gas Company Employees; Mr. and Mrs. Horrell; Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Raymond; Mr. F. Adams; Edie, Warfleet Cottage.
       The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. W. G. Row.

DEATH

SAUNDERS.¾ On March 11th, at 49, Newcomin Road, Ann Maria Saunders, after a long and painful illness. At rest.

       The death occurred at her home, 49, Newcomin Road, last Friday, after a long illness of Mrs. Ann Maria Saunders, aged 73. Mrs. Saunders, who was a native of Brixham, had lived in Dartmouth for the past 34 years, and was a respected member of the Congregational Church. She was the widow of the late Mr. W. J. Saunders.
         Two sons and four daughters survive her.
       The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, when Rev. W. J. Zeal conducted the service in the Flavel Memorial Church. The mourners were: Messrs. Samuel J. and Robert E. Saunders, sons; Mrs. G. Fisher (Brixham), Mrs. Gifford (Plymouth), Mrs. A. Mitchelmore and Mrs. A. Heard, daughters; Messrs. Albert, James, and Jack Phillips, brothers (Mr. Samuel Phillips, a fourth brother, who is at sea, was unable to attend); Mr. William Phillips, nephew; Mrs. Bickford, Mrs. C. Pike, and Mrs. K. Phillips, nieces; Messrs. George Fisher, Alfred Gifford, Albert Mitchelmore, and Albert Heard, sons-in-law; Mrs. S. J. Saunders and Mrs. R. Saunders, daughters-in-law; Mrs. J. Phillips, Mrs. J. Widger, and Mrs. R. Saunder (Brixham), sisters-in-law.

WREATHS

       The interment took place at the Cemetery. Following is the list of floral tributes: From her loving children; all her dear grandchildren; brothers James, Samuel, and Jack (Brixham); niece and nephew, Nellie and Charlie Bickford (Brixham); brother-in-law Sam Holland (Brixham); nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. E. Saunders; nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. F. Saunders; Mr. and Mrs. Woodgate; Mr. & Mrs. W. Heard; Mr. and Mrs. J. Dodd, Mrs. Dodd (Kingswear); Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Beynon.
       Messrs. Robert T. Pillar and Son carried out the funeral arrangements.

Funeral of Mr. Saunders

       The funeral of Mr. S. J. Saunders, of Newcomen Road, who had been a hairdresser and tobacconist in Dartmouth since 1910, took place on Saturday after a service in the Congregational Church.
       Mr. Saunders, who was born in Brixham 60 years ago died last week leaving a widow, son and daughter.
       Mr. Saunders was a member of the Special Constabulary and six of his colleagues¾Special Sgts. Walls and Foyle and Constables Cousins, Atkins, Milton and Cranch¾acted as bearers.
       The service, conducted by Rev. J Hosking with Mr. W. E. Cutcliffe at the organ, included the hymns “Jesus Lover of my Soul” and “Abide with me.”
       Principal mourners were his widow, Mr P. Saunders (son), Mrs. Hoskin (daughter), Mr. R. Saunders (brother), Mrs. Gifford, Mrs. Heard (sisters), Miss H. Saunders (niece), Mr. and Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Polley (cousins), Mr. L. Hoskin (son-in-law), Mr. A.Gifford  and Mr. A. Heard (brothers-in-law). Mrs. B. Mitchelmore, of Bristol (sister) was unavoidably absent.
       Other mourners included his great friends Mr. Vic Hoskin,  Mr. Norman and his brother-in-law and member of the Special Constabulary.

FLORAL TRIBUTES

       Floral tributes were sent by:¾
       His devoted wife (Pats ) and children; Bay, John and Bosum, grandsons; For Grampy, from his own garden, from all the children; Bob, Win and family; Martha, Alf and family; Lily , Louise and family; Vic and Thelma, Sis and George (Torquay); Mr. and Mrs. Hoskin and family; Cousin Will, Alice and Family; Nell and nieces Doly, Eileen, Raymond (Cardiff); [illegible] Bill and Alan; Aunt Hess and Uncle Bill and friends of Bristol; Bill Coombes; Win and George Fisher and family (Bristol); Dartmouth Section Special Constabulary; W. G. Pillar and Co.; Doff and Molly; Manuel and Bess; Mr. and Mrs. J. Perring (Market Square); From Ern, Will, Treble and family (Bristol); Fred and Betty and family (Bath); Mr. and Mrs. F. Williams and family; Jim and Alice; Mr. and Mrs. Dawson (Edinburgh); Mr and Mrs. E. Elliott and John; Mr. and Mrs. R. Stone; S. G. Thorne and family; Mr. and Mrs. Stenson; Mr. and Mrs. Holwill.