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Finding Aid Index Request Information
Overview | Administrative Information | Container List
Each Finding Aid can be keyword searched using the Ctrl F function on your keyboard.
Manuscript Name | Papers of William Hilton Saunders |
Manuscript Number | MSS 064 |
Last Updated | December 2021 |
Extent | 10 cm (2 boxes) |
Location | Special Collections, UNSW Canberra |
Abstract | This collection comprises diaries kept by William Hilton Saunders during his First World War service, together with papers and memorabilia collected by him from 1915-1965. |
This collection comprises diaries, badges, newspaper cuttings, correspondence, cards, ration books, leave pass, photographs and memorabilia relating to William Hilton Saunders' First World War service in France, together with newspaper cuttings relating to the Gilgandra Co-ees. His diaries describe training in Egypt; leave in England; and serving in different campaigns in France.
William Hilton Saunders was born on 2 August 1894 at Goodooga, NSW. He enlisted on 15 October 1915 at the age of 21. After four months of training at the Liverpool camp he embarked on 8 March 1916 on HMAT A15 Star of England as the 15th Reinforcements for the 13th Battalion, disembarking at Egypt.
In June 1916, Saunders moved from Egypt to France, where he served as a Driver until 1918 with the 4th Division Ammunition Column. He returned to Australia on the 12 May 1919. After the war, he bought a butcher's shop with a bakery attached and then sold out and went shearing. In 1930 during the depression, he bought a mixed business in Sydney.
References: Pam MacLean
First World War Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia, April 2006
The Gilgandra Weekly, Wednesday 20 October 1965
Papers of William Hilton Saunders, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, MSS 064, Box [Number], Folder [Number].
Soldiers -- Australia -- Diaries
Soldiers -- Australia -- Archives
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, Australian
World War, 1914-1918 -- Biography
World War, 1914-1918 -- Australia
Folder 1
Notebook containing newspaper clippings, ribbons, one letter and pressed flowers; four embroidered silk postcards - two with envelopes and two with smaller printed greeting card inserted in a pocket behind the silk front and the stiff back, 1915-1917; military and civilian badges
Folder 2
Four brief diaries kept during the First World War by Saunders, together together with notes and addresses; loose membership cards, pressed flowers and silk ribbons, 1916-1919
Folder 3
Letter (incomplete), leave or duty ration books (2), military pass, 1916-1919; material collected on the battlefield at Montbrehain, France, from a deceased German soldier named Max Alfred Lein, from II. Ers. Battalion, Res. Jnf. Regiment. 104, 4. Komp., including medical cards, tickets, French and German paper money, German field postcard and coupons, 1917-1918; small material Australian red merchant ensign flag
Folder 6
Black and white postcard photograph of two Australian soldiers, 20/1/1919
Black and white photograph of German prisoners of war, France, 1919
Black and white postcard photograph of unidentified German soldiers from 15. Korporalschaft Rekr., Dep. 2, Ers. Batl. Landw. Jnf. Reg. 104, Annaberg
Black and white postcard photograph of unidentified young German soldier
Black and white studio portrait mounted on heavy board of unidentified young Australian army officer with silk ribbons fluttering from his left shoulder strap / by A.J. Vincent, Talbragar Street, Dubbo
Black and white studio portrait mounted on heavy board of three unidentified young Australian army officers with silk ribbons fluttering from their left shoulder strap / by A.J. Vincent, Talbragar Street, Dubbo