Robert John SAUNDERS

Service Number:	299
Enlisted:	3 August 1915
Last Rank:	Corporal
Last Unit:	2nd Machine Gun Battalion
Born:	Scottsdale, Tasmania, Australia, August 1894
Home Town:	Scottsdale, Dorset, Tasmania
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Storeman
Died:	Died of wounds, France, 5 October 1918
Cemetery:	Bellicourt British Cemetery Plot II, Row N, Grave No. , Bellicourt British Cemetery, Bellicourt, Picardie, France
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Scottsdale Municipality Pictorial HR

World War 1 Service

3 Aug 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 299, 6th Machine Gun Company
4 May 1916:	Involvement Private, 299, 6th Machine Gun Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: ''
4 May 1916:	Embarked Private, 299, 6th Machine Gun Company, HMAT Port Lincoln, Melbourne
2 Jul 1918:	Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion
31 Aug 1918:	Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion
5 Oct 1918:	Involvement Corporal, 299, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 299 awm_unit: 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-10-05

His life .

Born 1st August 1894 Scottsdale Tasmania the son of Robert and Annie Isabella Saunders (nee Loone) a farmer he embarked Melbourne 4th May 1916 on board “HMAT Port Lincoln” with the 6th Machine Gun Company.

Corporal Saunders died 5th October 1918 at the 6th Field Ambulance from a shell wound which fractured his right leg and is commemorated in the Bellicourt British Cemetery, Bellicourt, Picardie, France.

Scottsdale’s Brave Men still falling

Mr Robert Saunders of this district has received word that his son Robert, 24 years of age was killed in France on September 5th. The deceased soldier was a steady unassuming young man and a great help to his father. When war broke out although one of the most quiet young men in this district Robert Saunders felt it was his duty to enlist. His father would not give his consent until his son was 21 years of age but as soon as that time arrived the lad enlisted, wished his father and those at home goodbye and went forth to serve the nation to which he belonged.

Weekly Courier 31st October 1918
From The Gravesites of Tasmania

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