SAUNDERS, CHARLES ‘DICK’ Reg, # B55127

Charles ‘Dick’ Saunders was born February 15, 1919, the son of Richard Percy and Ethel Annie (Addis) Saunders. Dick moved to Maple Island with his father, brother William ‘Bill’ and sister Irene in the late 1920’s.

Charles Henry ‘Dick’ Saunders was a member of the Irish Regiment of Canada R.C.I.C. Charles ‘Dick’ Saunders was wounded in Italy. Apparently Phil McEwen was with him in the trench when enemy shrapnel hit Dick in the head and neck.

Martin Thomson was one of the two paramedics who tended to him in the trench

Dick died May 30, 1944 and is buried in Caserta War Cemetery, about 27 kilometres due north of Naples.

In an interview with John Macfie, recorded in John’s book Sons of the Pioneers, page 66, Dick’s brother William ‘Bill’ Saunders noted that: “My brother (Dick) went to the Irish before I did; he went overseas with the Irish. He had joined the Algonquins and was discharged after a year and a half as medically unfit. He went home to Maple Island – he was married – went home and joined up again and went over to the Irish. I think a couple of other boys from here were with him in Italy, Lloyd Wager and Martin Thomson. But my brother got it, a sniper got him. He was in the hospital a long time, and his wife got word that they were shipping him home, but something happened that he died.”

Charles 'Dick' Saunders with his son Larry, Maple Island

Martin Thomson, a paramedic, helped care for Charles ‘Dick’ Saunders while he was in the hospital. (Martin had been one of the paramedics who assisted Dick when he was first wounded but was in hospital because he too had been injured.) Despite the fact that the army had sent a telegraph to Dick’s wife telling her that Dick was coming home, Dick knew he was dying and put together a small box with his ring, watch and other memorabilia  and asked Martin to give them to Mable when Martin returned home which he did.)