| Surname: | Saunders |
| Initials: | F |
| Rank: | L/Cpl A/SSM |
| Army Number: | P/977 |
| Notes: | MMP. From High Wycombe. Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (2a) Balkans, 15/6/1915. Shown as (3) Egypt, 15/6/15 to 11/11/18 on medal roll page B80. Discharged class Z reserve, 14/4/1919. Frederick Saunders. Extract from the Staffordshire Sentinel 16 April 1917. ADVENTURE AS A SECRET AGENT, WITH ALLENBY IN PALESTINE. INSPECTOR FRED SAUNDERS. Incidents in his romantic career - during which he worked as stable boy, footman, police officer and wartime Secret Service Agent. - were related to a "Sentinel" representative to-day by Inspector Frederick Saunders, who retired yesterday from the Stoke on Trent City Police Force. He joined the Force in 1909 and was the oldest serving member, in length of service. A native of Buckinghamshire, Mr. Saunders began working life as a stable boy to a prominent Dorset family and his training here was to serve him well in later years as a police officer and soldier. For three or four years he served in the indoor staff as a footman, but in 1909 feeling the need for an out of door life, he joined the Police Force of the old Hanley County Borough. It was not long before he was attached to the mounted branch and his efficiency here led to his being chosen for mounted duty at many ceremonial parades. MOUNTED ORDERLY. In 1913, he was detailed as special mounted orderly to the late King George V., when his Majesty visited the Potteries, In subsequent years, Mr. Saunders, who was for a long time in charge of the mounted branch, acted as special orderly on numerous other Royal visits to the district, including one of the present King, when he was Duke of York. He remained in charge of the mounted branch until about three years ago and having charge of the police riding school, trained many young officers for mounted service. Immediately on the outbreak of the Great War, Mr. Saunders joined the Military Mounted Police, but his service was very different from that of the ordinary officer. Owing to his capability as a horseman, he left England after only three week's training, but before his departure he was again honoured by being detailed as mounted orderly to the late King George. Shortly after leaving England, he was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major and this was made into a permanent rank. he saw service in the Dardanelles, Salonika and Palestine and worked for the Secret Service in other countries. He served with the Yeomanry, was in charge of transport work and a standard bearer to such well known Commanders in Chief as Sir Ian Hamilton, Major General Murray and Lord Allenby (then Major-General.) Article has a phot0graph of Mr. Saunders in Police uniform. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Mention in Despatches (London Gazette: 30746 Page: 7057 June 14, 1918) |
| Citation: | Egyptian Exp Force. L/Cpl (A/SSM). |
| Decoration: | Meritorious Service Medal (London Gazette: 31093 Page: 62 Jan. 1, 1919) |
| Citation: | Egyptian Exp Force. Devotion to duty. Pte (A/SSM). Frederick Saunders. |