John Hole SAUNDERS

Private J. H. Saunders (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 27/5/1916)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 5766), John Hole Saunders was born at Parramatta, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 18 years and 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as shop assistant.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination form was height 5 feet 7 ½ inches tall, weight 123 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Methodist.  He claimed to have 4 years universal military training and was still serving.

He completed his medical examination on 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915, when the Coo-ees were recruiting at Parramatta.  He claimed that he had 4 years military service in the Cadets.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate reported that Private ‘Jack’ Saunders’ was presented with a silver-mounted pipe, fountain pen, and other articles, at a send-off held for him and fellow Parramatta recruit Private Roy McMillan, at Parramatta on Monday 14^th February 1916. [2]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Dersmore, Crimea Street, Parramatta, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, J. H. [John Hole] Saunders, at the same address.

On 3^rd May 1916 Private Saunders departed Sydney on the HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray, as part of the 18^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

He arrived in Egypt in June 1916.

On Te-el-Kebir on 25^th July 1916 Private Saunders was charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that whilst on a route march disobeyed an order directly given by his superior officer.  He was awarded 2 days confined to barracks.

On 8^th August 1916 Private Saunders departed Egypt bound for England aboard the Transport Megantic.

On 12^th December 1916 Private Saunders departed Folkestone, England, aboard the SS Arundle bound for France.  He marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France on 13^th December 1916.

On 19th December 1916 Private Saunders marched into the 13^th Battalion when it was training at Coisy, France.

On 13^th January 1917 the 13^th Battalion was conducting fatigue duties at Mametz, France, when Private Saunders was evacuated the 5^th Australian Field Ambulance sick with Influenza.  On 15^th January 1917 he was sent to the 38^th Casualty Clearing Station, then placed aboard the 25^th Ambulance Train for journey to No. 10 General Hospital at Rouen, France.

On 26^th January 1917 he was released from hospital and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France.

He rejoined the 13^th Battalion on 16^th February 1917 whilst it was training and performing fatigue duties at Mametz, France.

On 11^th April 1917 the 13^th Battalion was involved in the attack on the Hindenburg line in the 1^st Battle of Bullecourt, France, when Private Saunders was evacuated to the 8^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering Asthma.  He was moved to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance, then sent to the 56^th Casualty Clearing Station on the 20^th April 1917.  On 23^rd April 1917 he was transferred to the 11^th Stationary Hospital at Rouen, France.

He was discharged from hospital on 26^th April 1017 and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France.  Whilst at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot Private Saunders was classified as “PB” [Permanent Base duties].

On 29^th May 1919 he departed France bound for England with the status “P.B.”

Private Saunders arrived in Weymouth on 30^th May 1917 and marched into the No. 2 Command Depot.

On the 4^th of June 1917 he was transferred to the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, England.

On 9^th June 1917 Private Saunders was classified as “B1A4” [fit for overseas training camp when passed dentally fit].[3]

On 13^th September 1917 Private Saunders was reclassified as “A3” [fit for overseas training camp, to which transferred for hardening, prior to rejoining unit overseas].[4]

On 14^th September 1917 Private Saunders was sent to the Headquarters Depots at Tidworth, England, to perform guard duties.

On 25^th October 1917 Private Saunders was temporarily detached for duty at the Administrative Headquarters in London.

On 4^th December 1917 Private Saunders was sent to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, England.  On 5^th December 1917 he was reclassified as “B1A3” [fit for overseas training camp in two to three weeks].[5]

On 15^th December 1917 Private Saunders was reclassified “A3” [fit for overseas training camp, to which transferred for hardening, prior to rejoining unit overseas].[6]

On 19^th December 1917 Private Saunders was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, England.

On 10^th January 1918 he departed Southampton, England, bound for France.  He marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France, on 11^th January 1918.

On 18^th January 1918 Private Saunders rejoined the 13^th Battalion on 18^th January 1918 when it was training at Locre, Belgium.

On 27^th January 1918 the 13^th Battalion was at White Chateau was manning the front line near Hollebeke in Belgium when Private Saunders was evacuated to the 13^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering Balantitis.  He was moved back to the 2^nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station.  On 29^th January 1918 he was placed aboard the 39^th Ambulance Train and transported to the 39^th General Hospital at Le Havre France, where he was admitted on 1^st February 1918. He was discharged on 3^rd February 1918, and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base depot at Le Harve.

He rejoined the 13^th Battalion on 12^th of February 1918 when it was training at Locre, Belgium.

On 9^th May 1918 the 13^th Battalion was manning support lines near Villers Bretonneux, France, when Private Saunders was evacuated to the 13^th Australian Field Ambulance sick.  He was moved back to the 61^st Casualty Clearing Station then on 10^th May 1918 he was placed aboard the 28^th Ambulance Train for journey to the 39^th General Hospital at Le Harve, France, where he was admitted on13^th May 1918.

Private Saunders was discharged from hospital on 16^th July 1918 and marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve that same day.

He rejoined the 13^th Battalion on 3^rd August 1918 when it was manning the front line south of Villers Bretonneux, France.

On 7^th August 1918 the 13^th Battalion was preparing to move forward to participate in an attack on the German lines  around Amiens when Private Saunders went absent without leave at 9.30 p.m.  He returned at 9.15 a.m. on 12^th August 1918. On 22^nd August 1918 he was charged with being absent without leave, and was awarded 28 days field punishment No. 2 and fined 33 days pay.

On 15^th September 1918 the 13^th Battalion was preparing to move forward to the front line when Private Saunders went absent without leave again.

He was located on 18^th September 1918 and charged with desertion.  On 7^th October 1918 a Field General Courts Martial was held where Private Saunders was charged with Desertion.  He pleaded Not Guilty.  He was found Guilty, and he was sentenced to serve 10 years Penal Servitude.

On 8^th November 1918 Private Saunders marched into the No. 1 Military Prison at Rouen, France.

On 17^th February 1919 he was transferred to England on SS Nirvana to serve the remainder of his sentence.  On 19^th February 1919 Private Saunders marched into His Majesty’s Prison at Portland in England.

On 25^th April 1919 Private Saunders’ prison sentence was suspended, and he was released and marched into the No. 4 Group at Hurdcott, England, on 26^th April 1919.

On 2^nd June 1919 Private Saunders departed Devonport, England, aboard the HT Beltana bound for Australia.

He arrived in Sydney on 20^th July 1919, and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 4^th September 1919.

[1] NAA B2455, SAUNDERS JOHN HOB

[2] ‘The Sheepskin Fund’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 19 February 1916, p. 11. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86072411

[3] Department of Veterans Affairs, ‘Army Medical Classifications – World War 1’ in Chapter 5 Abbreviations and Medical Classifications’, http://www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/advocacy-training/repatriation-handbooks

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.