1916 signed by Victoria Cross winner Sergeant Arthur F. Saunders
Title - Just a little Tommy
Date - 27/7/16 for 1916
Medium - Pen and Ink on paper
Signed - Sgt (sergeant) Arth(ur) F. Saunders VC
9th Suffolk Regt.
Picture size - 15cm x 12cm / 6" x 4.75"
Outside frame size - 33.5cm x 28.5cm / 13.5" x 11.5"
Condition - Excellent
Frame - Antique Victorian / Edwardian oak picture frame with period glass
Arthur Frederick Saunders was born in 1878 and on his 18th birthday in 1896 he joined the Royal Navy on a 12 year contract, rejoining 'civvy St' in 1908. He continued serving in the Territorial Army attached to the Suffolk Regiment till the outbreak of War in 1914 when all 'reservists' were transferred to full service in the Army. He was sent to France with the 9th Battalion of the Suffolk Regt as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in August 1915.
On September 25th 1915 the Suffolk Regiment were part of the British Offensive at the Battle of Loos on the Western Front. As they moved forward to attack the German trenches they came under heavy machine gun fire, forcing the Battalion's flanks to fall back. When his Officer was wounded, Sergeant Saunders picked up two machine guns. A German shell exploded next to him almost amputating his leg below the knee, but Saunders stayed in his position, against overwhelming odds, giving clear orders and firing continuously, allowing his men the chance to retreat.
He was recovered by stretcher bearers and taken to an advanced Dressing Station on the Front line.
His Victoria Cross was announced on March 30th 1916, while Saunders was still recovering in hospital from his wounds. His leg was saved but was three inches shorter when he recovered and he wore a built up medical boot for the rest of his life to aid his walking.
He was invalided back to England because of his wounds and received a hero's welcome on his return home to Ipswich on June 22nd 1916, five days before the award of his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on June 27th.
A collection in his honour in his home town raised over £300, enabling him to buy a house where he brought up his family and stayed for the rest of his life. He passed away on July 30th 1947.
This piece was signed by Sergeant Saunders one month to the day after receiving his medal at Buckingham Palace.