WW1 ‘Gallipoli’ Hill 60 Military Cross and Twice Mentioned in Despatches Medal Group of Seven – Captain (Quartermaster) W.J. Saunders, 10th Bn. Hampshire Regiment

A first world war ‘Gallipoli’ Hill 60 MC medal group of seven awarded to Captain (Quartermaster) William John Saunders, 10th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, who was also twice mentioned in despatches. 

Military Cross reverse engraved Qr Mr & Lieut. W.J. Saunders. Hamps. R. 
Queen’s South Africa Medal (Clasps – Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg) named to 3867 Sejt. W. Saunders, 2: Hampshire Regt. 
King’s South Africa Medal (Clasps – South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902) named to 3867 Cr: Serjt: W. Saunders. Hampshire Regt. 
1914-15 Star named to Q.M. & Lieut. W.J. Saunders. Hamps. R. 
British War Medal named to Q.M. & Capt. W.J. Saunders. 
WW1 Victory Medal named to Q.M. & Capt. W.J. Saunders. 
Edward VII Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named to 3867 S.Mjr: W.J. Saunders. Hants: Regt. 

The medals are in good condition and come with accompanying miniature medals. Both of which are swing mounted and housed in seperate Spink & Son Ltd cases.

M.C. London Gazette: 2nd February 1916
 ‘For services rendered in connection with military operations in the field.’

The original recommendation states:
 ‘Military Cross awarded for operations at ANZAC on 21 August 1915 under Brigadier-General Russell, General Officer Commanding New Zealand Mounted Brigade. When all other Officers of the 10th (Service) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment had become casualties, Captain Saunders took Command. He made all the preparations necessary within the Battalion for an attack on the Turkish Trenches, carried out a personal reconnaissance of the ground, obtaining valuable information, and led the Battalion into action.’

M.I.D. London Gazette: 28th January 1916 (Gallipoli)
M.I.D. London Gazette: 30th January 1919 (British Salonika Force)

William John Saunders was born on 28 June 1874 and joined the Hampshire Regiment at the age of 18, serving with them throughout the Boer War. He was appointed Quartermaster of the 10th Battalion at the outbreak of the Great War, and served with them at Gallipoli. As part of the 10th (Irish) Division and the only non Irish Battalion in the Division, the 10th Hampshire’s landed at ANZAC on 5 August 1915. With an approximate strength of 1000 Officers and men, during August they most unusually operated with the Australian and New Zealanders in the ANZAC area, taking part in some of the hardest fighting of the campaign. Indeed only 4 Officers and 222 Other Ranks were still serving with the Battalion a month later, with nearly 800 having been either killed, wounded or evacuated sick.

Within days of landing, on 9 August, the Hampshire’s went into action at Chunuk Bair, supporting the New Zealanders. In the heavy and often confused fighting that took place of the next couple of days, the Hampshire’s sustained an extremely high number of casualties, especially in Officers, with 22 being killed and wounded. Indeed by the evening of the 10 August, the battalion was under the command of Captain Hellyer, with Lieutenant Saunders being the only other officer remaining in action. 431 Other ranks became casualties during the battle and the shattered remnants of the battalion, were relieved on the 11 August. Here they were reinforced with three Officers and 146 other ranks who had not taken part in the battle.

Between the 14 and 19 August, the Battalion was engaged in improving existing defences and communications before being relieved on the 20th. On the 21 August, in preparation for the attack on Hill 60, the Battalion now reduced to just 5 Officers and 330 Other Ranks, were assigned to Brigadier General Russell’s New Zealand Mounted Brigade. This Brigade was also much reduced in numbers, consisting of the Canterbury and Otago Mounted Rifles, 500 men from the 4th Australian Brigade and the Hampshire’s. 

Going into action at 3.30pm, by 7.30pm, the Hampshire’s had lost a large number of men and Lieutenant Saunders had been handed Command of the Battalion. Ordered to reinforce the New Zealanders, it was for his actions over the next few hours that Saunders would be awarded the Military Cross. The 10th Hampshire’s would lose a further 3 Officers and 153 Other ranks during the battle, until relieved at 11pm that day. This battle effectively ended the Battalions front line service at Gallipoli. After this, the Hampshire’s served at Beach Party, ANZAC and though still under fire and sustaining casualties throughout September, the Battalion would embark for Mudros on the 29 September 1915.  

Although only a junior Officer, who was Acting Adjutant on 21 August, it must be remembered that Saunders had been an ex Colour Sergeant and had served through the Boer War with the Regiment. As such, leading men into action was nothing new to him and it should be of no surprise that when given command of the Battalion (or what was left of it), he led them into action with great gallantry. In the days after the battle, with the Battalion in need of reorganisation, Saunders turned his hand to anything, taking the roll of Adjutant, Company Commander, Quartermaster and in any other capacity which he was assigned. As such, it should be of no surprise that he would add a Mentioned in Despatches for his time at Gallipoli.

Promoted Captain in 1917, for his services during the Great War he was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 28 January 1916 and 30 January 1919), the first for services at Gallipoli, and the latter for services with the British Salonika Force. He retired from the Army in 1920, and in later life was a prominent member of the British Legion.

The group comes with a framed portrait of Saunders in uniform wearing his medals, original recommendation for his MC, original letter on army note paper dated 13 February 1919 congratulating him on the award of his second MID, newspapers cuttings relating to his death and some research.

Regiment: Hampshire Regiment

Era: Boer War and WW1