Edward Heat SAUNDERS

Regimental number10/88
Date of birth4 June 1873
Place of birthTurnbridge, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSalesman
AddressFeatherston
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation40
Height5' 5.5"
Weight117 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Ina Saunders, Featherston
Previous military service'C' Company, 17th Regiment
Enlistment date12 August 1914
Place of enlistmentMasterton
Rank on embarkationMajor
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on 16 October 1914
Final rankLieutenant Colonel
Final unit5th Reserve Brigade
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 1 February 1918
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 16 October 1914; disembarked Alexandria, Egypt, 3 December 1914.

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915.

Wounded in action, Dardanelles, 8 May 1915 (gunshot wound, left knee joint, severe); admitted to HS 'Franconia', no date stated; transferred to Deaconess Hospital, Alexandria, 12 May 1915; to No.1 Syrian Convalescent Home, Alexandria, 26 June 1915.

Embarked Alexandria, 28 July 1915, and proceeded to Dardanelles; rejoined unit, Anzac, 3 August 1915.

Admitted to No.1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Anzac, 4 August 1915 (synovitis, knee); transferred to Anglo-American Hospital, Ghezireh, Egypt, 10 August 1915; to NZ General Hospital, Abbassia, 11 August 1915; to NZ Convalescent Camp, Helouan, 23 August 1915.

Assumed temporary command of Base Details, Zeitoun, 2 September 1915.

Appointed Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, 8 October 1915.

Appointed to command of NZ Base Depot, Ghezireh, 1 February 1916.

Marched out of NZ Base Depot, Ghezireh, 22 March 1916.

Appointed Temporary Lieutenant Colonel while commanding NZ Infantry Base Depot, 1 April 1916.

Disembarked Marseilles, France, 21 April 1916.

Attached to strength of Headquarters, Etaples, 24 April 1916.

Appointed Officer Commanding 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Auckland and Wellington Regiment, 27 February 1917, and retains rank of Temporary Lieutenant Colonel.

Proceeded to England, 3 March 1917; assumes command of 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Auckland and Wellington Regiment, Sling Camp, 5/6 March 1917.

Ceases to be seconded for duty with Reserve Battalion, 15 March 1917.

Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, 15 March 1917.

Appointed Commanding Officer of 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Sling Camp, no date stated.

Marched out of 5th (Reserve) Brigade, 20 January 1918.

To be Officer Commanding of a NZ Transport, 21 January 1918.

Commenced return from Liverpool to New Zealand on board HMNZT 'Willochra', 1 February 1918; disembarked New Zealand, 15 March 1918.

Re-embarked for overseas service, 5 June 1918, see separate record for 10/88 Edward Heat SAUNDERS.
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
Date of death9 October 1948, Auckland
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24201574
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 20809705