Corps of Military Police

Cap Badge of the Corps of Military Police (King George V)
Soldier Details:
Surname: Saunders
Initials:   A.L.
Rank:   Lance Corporal
Army No.:  5987983
Notes:   MFP. Formerly Suffolk Regiment. Transferred to MFP. 1/9/1928. Died at Tidworth 24/5/1929. Anthony Lewis Saunders. His details are in the Army Register of Soldiers Effects but no details on money. Antony Lewis Saunders. Extract from the Western Gazette, 31/5/29. Tidworth Military Policeman Killed , Cycle Accident Near Bulford, Salisbury. Lorry Drivers Evidence. Lance Corporal Aubry Lewis Saunders, Military Foot Police stationed at Tidworth, died in the Military Hospital on Friday as a result of an accident in which his cycle collided with a lorry between Tidworth and Bulford on May 23 rd, the inquest on Tuesday, conducted by Mr O P E J Talbot, sitting with a Jury. Major V T Graham, surgical specialist at Tidworth Military Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the hospital about 11 am on Thursday morning and witness saw him an hour later. He was unconscious, and there were signs of fracture at the base of the skull and lacerations of the brain. He had a lacerated wound on the right shoulder an other injuries. An operation was considered, but the injuries were too severe and nothing could be done. The man died at 4.45 the following afternoon from fracture at the base of the skull and lacerations of the brain. Captain P T Allen, APM Southern Command said deceased was aged 23 and married, and a good steady soldier. Charles James Lucas of the WD Roads and Communications lorry driver, residing at Harnham, Salisbury said on Thursday he was driving a lorry to Tidworth via Bulford and about half a mile outside Bulford he saw a lorry driven by a soldier coming towards him. The other lorry was on its proper side, and witness pulled in to the edge on his proper side to allow it to pass. The other lorry which was going from 15 to 20 miles per hour, was coming downhill, and when the two lorries were almost level a man on a push cycle came from behind the other lorry and struck into the witness's lorry. Witness was going from eight to ten miles per hour and did not see the cyclist till he came from the back of the other lorry. Witness went on about 50 yards and then saw the other lorry. Witness was driving about 18 miles an hour. Both he and the other lorry driver pulled well to the left to allow each other to pass and there was a yard between the two, the road being 19 feet wide. Witness did not see the accident. Two men riding in the back called him to stop and a soldier on horseback told him to go for the ambulance. Lance Corporal Ernest Dolman, of the 3rd Carabineers, said he was on duty at the ranges about 0.45 am when he was two lorries coming in opposite directions. Witness did not see deceased will he actually hit the lorry, he came from behind the lorry proceeding towards Bulford, and it appeared to witness that he tried to pass between the tow lorries and ran into the lorry coming towards witness from the Bulford direction. It seemed as if the cyclist tried to avoid the lorry and the lamp hit him on the head. The driver of the lorry had not time to do anything. PC Norris, Stationed at Durrinton said the front brake of the cycle, as far as he could see from the buckled wheel, was in good order, and the back one was sound. The lorry had a damaged lamp bracket on the off side, and from the height of the cycle witness was of opinion deceased hit with his face. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned, the jury adding rider to the effect that in their opinion no blame was attached to either driver.

Casualty Details:
Date Killed: 24th May 1929
Company: CMP
Cemetery: UNKNOWN   UNITED KINGDOM
CWGC Search:
Grave Photograph:
Grave photograph needed. If you have a picture of the headstone and are happy for us to use it please e-mail it to [email protected]