A British Naval Officers Second World War & India Independence Medal group of 3: Lieutenant Alfred Arthur Saunders, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Special List), late Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve
- War Medal
- IndiaService Medal 1939-45
- India: Independence Medal (Lt. (E). A.A. Saunders, R.N.V.R. (S.L.)
Note: The Independence Medal with forename letter 'R' (sic), and exactly as issued officially impressed
Medal Verification: The award of the India Independence Medal is verified in the respective Royal Navy medal roll for this medal vide ADM 171/61. Only 78 x India Independence Medals issued to Officers and Ratings of the Royal Navy, and Royal Navy reserves. The medal roll does not distinguish recipients by their respective, i.e., R.N., R.N.V.R. etc - however this medal is the only one thus far we have ever seen or handled named to the R.N.V.R.
Alfred Arthur Saunders, son of Alfred Saunders, (a Clerk (Ship Repairer)) & Ada Annie Saunders (nee Crocker), was a native of, Barking, Essex, England, where he was born on 1 June 1903. By the time of the 1911 National Census for England & Wales, Alfred is recorded living with his parents and younger sibling sister, Rose Alice Saunders (b.) at, 4 Gipsy Road Welling Kent, Bexley, Kent, England. Alfred married Constance Irene Haines, at, Rainham, Essex, England on, 29 August 1931. The Royal Navy lists of the period circa 1941-1948 include the below following listings for Alfred Arthur Saunders;
- Engineer Lieutenant, Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve with effect 25 November 1941
- Acting Lieutenant Commander (E), Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve with effect 1 January 1948
Note: The Navy List issue of October 1948, has the following for Saunders "On R.N.V.R. Special List (transferred from R.I.N.V.R.)"
The below following article was published in Portsmouth Evening News issue of, 29 January 1953:
Quote,
DIVORCE DECREE FOR CITY WIFE
Because of her husband's cruelty and desertion, Mrs. Constance Irene Saunders of Elphinstone Road, Southsea, was granted a decree nissi with costs by Judge Engelbach in the Divorce Court, yesterday. No defence was offered by the husband, Mr. Alfred Arthur Saunders. The marriage was in August, 1931, at Rainham (Essex). Mr. and Mrs. Saunders subsequently lived in East Ham and in India.
Unquote.
Alfred Arthur Saunders is recorded having died at Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, on, 30 June 1974
The medals mounted in the swing-style suspended from their original silk ribands, and as-worn by the recipient. The reverse of the mounting bar retaining the long hinged pin & clasp fittings
A rare combination of medals to a British Naval officer that includes an officially named Indian Independence Medal
Condition: About EF
Code: 21408