Frederick James Sanders 1890~1917

 

Frederick James Sanders was born in 1890 at the little village of Boweya in Victoria (Vic. BDM Index - Boweya, or Boweya North, is in the Shire of Moira just to the north of Lake Rowan) although Melbourne has been listed on his service record. Frederick was the fourth of the eight children that would be born to William James Sanders & Mary Annie Wait ... William & Mary had married at Mount Blackwood in 1879.

 

The family had moved into the Albury area in time for the birth of their second last child Sarah Mildred Sanders in 1897. Sadly just one year later Mary Sanders has passed away at Germanton (the possibility exists that the death occurred due to complications arising from giving birth to the family's last child - Jessie Ann!)). With a young family to rear William quickly remarried to Marie Hannah Richards. There was no issue from this marriage.

 

Frederick went to the Culcairn Public school and reference to this can be found on the Honour Roll Circular that was sent to his step-mother Hannah requesting more details about Frederick after his death. Leaving school at a young age I believe that Frederick has joined his elder brothers and father working on the apple orchard called Union Farm which appears to have been situated in the Sylvania Estate area of North Albury.

 

Unfortunately, as with most of these young men, nothing further is known with any certainty about their early and adolescent lives!

 

Like most other boys from the Lavington area I feel sure that Frederick has been given a farewell send-off in the School of Arts hall but no reference has been found of this. However, Frederick's name is mentioned in some articles found in the Albury Banner & Wodonga Express. The April 1919 edition was one of those when Cannon Bevan presented medals to the mother of Private Frederick "Fred" Sanders & the father of Private Homer Wilson for their selfless deeds. In July 1919 at another presentation Hume Shire certificates were handed to the families of those who had fallen by Mr. Henry Hague and as a mark of respect the ceremony was conducted in silence! Frederick's mother was present to collect her son's certificate.

 

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This is from the Australian War Memorial Embarkation Rolls:

 

Sanders: Frederick James

• Service Number: 1035

• Rank: Trooper (conflicting information: Embarkation Roll states - Sergeant. Service File states - Trooper)

• Unit: 4th Light Horse Brigade, 12th Light Horse Regiment, 4th Reinforcements (June-November 1915)

• Age on Enlistment: 24 years - 8 months

• Date of Enlistment: 27 October 1914

• Place of Enlistment: Liverpool Nsw

• Marital Status: Single

• Religion: Church of England

• Occupation: Farmer

• Next of Kin: Mother, Nannah Sanders. (conflicting information - it should read: Hannah Sanders, Step-Mother)

• Abode at time of Enlistment: Union Farm Albury Nsw

• Place of Embarkation: Sydney Nsw

• Date of Embarkation: 30 September 1915

• Ship Embarked on: HMAT Argyllshire A8

• Medals & Honours: None for display

• Fate: KIA 22 April 1917

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The 12th Light Horse Regiment was raised, as part of the 4th Light Horse Brigade, at Liverpool, New South Wales, on 1 March 1915. It sailed from Australia in two contingents in June 1915. The first contingent put in at Aden on 12 July to reinforce the British garrison there against a predicted enemy attack; they only left their ship for a single route march, and sailed again on 18 July without having seen action.

 

The regiment was reunited in Egypt on 23 July 1915 and began training as infantry, having been ordered to leave its horses in Australia. A month later it deployed to Gallipoli. The regiment was again split up, to reinforce three light horse regiments already ashore - A Squadron went to the 1st Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron to the 7th, and C Squadron to the 6th. It was not reunited until 22 February 1916, by which time all of the AIF troops from Gallipoli had returned to Egypt.

 

Returning to its mounted role, the 12th Light Horse joined the forces defending the Suez Canal on 14 May 1916. In ensuing months it conducted patrols and participated in several forays out into the Sinai Desert. In April 1917 the regiment moved into Palestine to join the main British and dominion advance. It joined its first major battle on 19 April when it attacked, dismounted, as part of the ill-fated second battle of Gaza.

 

This is from the Australian War Memorial:

 

The coastal city of Gaza was the heart of the main Turkish defensive position in southern Palestine. Three major battles were launched in 1917 by British and dominion forces to capture Gaza - only the third succeeded in this object.

 

The first battle of Gaza took place on 26 March 1917. Two British infantry divisions were to attack it from the south while the mounted troops of the Desert Column would attack from the flanks and north. When the attack was launched the infantry made slow progress but the mounted troops succeeded in capturing high ground to the north of the city and advancing into it. Concerned by the lack of progress made by the infantry, and fearing the water supplies vital for the mounted troops would not be captured that night, Lieutenant General Dobell, the British officer commanding the operation, ordered a withdrawal at dusk. The next morning, after realising his mistake, Dobell attempted to resume the battle with the infantry, but with the troops exhausted and the Turks having received reinforcements, the attack floundered.

 

The second battle of Gaza took place three weeks later, beginning on 17 April 1917. In the interim the Turks had extended and improved their defences. Dobell launched another frontal assault on the Turkish defences, which was supported by six tanks and gas shells. The tanks and the gas were both dismal failures and the attacking forces could make little headway against well-sited Turkish redoubts. After three days of fighting the attack was called off, having not gained any significant ground.

 

On the second day of battle, 19 April, Frederick has been seriously injured suffering gun shot wounds to the abdomine and right arm. He was admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at El Arish and after having his right arm amputated Frederick finally succembed to his injuries passing away on April 22 1917. He was interred at El Arish Military Cemetery Grave # 65. Presbyterian Chaplin Rev W. A. Moore officiated. Frederick was re-interred at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery: Blot B, Grave 160.

 

Frederick's service medals were sent to his eldest surviving brother George McKellar Sanders as the lady listed as his next of kin, Hannah Sanders, was actually Frederick's step-mother!

 

Frederick is also remembered at panel # 8 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial