James Saunders
James Saunders was a Private when going to Caernarvon in February 1915 and listed as a Corporal on the Pals scroll in Astley Hall. He transferred to the fledgling Tank Corps (serial no. 95415) in 1915 and finished the war with the rank of Sergeant. He was not at Serre with the Pals when his brother, Leonard, was killed in action on the 1st July 1916.
James was born in Bispham near Blackpool in 1888, the son of Alice and James Saunders; he was one of nine children. The 1901 Census had the family living at 9 Ingleborough View in Withnell and described James as working as a Stone Dresser. However, in 1901 he moved to Messrs. Wiggans Teape paper mill at Withnell Fold where one of his brothers, Thomas, worked. The Mill records showed that he left to join the Chorley Pals on the 24th September 1914, leaving his job as a Beaterman’s Assistant and wage of 27 shillings and 4d.
Whist training at Caernarvon with the Pals he met and married a local girl by the name of Edwards in December 1915, eventually having a daughter in 1917 which they christened Gaynor. The Mill records showed that he returned to his old job at Withnell Fold on the 17th March 1919. Although working at the mill, his wife and child did not move from Caernarvon and he would work extra shifts during the week so he could spend time in Caernarvon over the weekend.
