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On 10th January 1919, Captain Arthur Jewell North was posthumously awarded the
Military Cross for “Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his Company in
the attack only four days after he had taken it over, capturing 70 prisoners and four
machine guns.”

In Memoriam: Captain North was buried at the Fins New British Cemetery, France

Lance Sgt. James Henry SAUNDERS, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regt
1881 - 11th February 1917

James Saunders married Alice Balcombe at St James church in 1900. The couple lived
with their six children at Manor Cottages, North Cray and as an unskilled labourer, James
had to take work whenever and wherever he could to enable him to support his growing
family. When there was a pressing need for men, 34-year-old James felt it was his duty to
offer his services for his King and Country. However, he was at first rejected and he
underwent a serious operation before travelling down to Maidstone on 20th December
1915. This time, he was able to take the Oath:

“I James Henry Saunders swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to His Majesty King George the fifth, His Heirs and successors, and that I will,
as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His heirs and Successors, in
Person, Crown, and dignity against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His
Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help
me God.”

James was first assigned to the Royal Field Artillery but was later transferred to ‘A’
Company, 10th Battalion Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regt. His keenness as a soldier
and his good work gained him rapid promotion and he was appointed unpaid Lance
Corporal on 23rd September 1916 and a month later was appointed unpaid Lance Sergeant
but was duly paid for this position from 13th November 1916.

The terrible battles of the Somme, which started disastrously on 1st July 1916, continued
for many months and from October 1916, James Saunders took part in the Battle of the
Transloy Ridges on the Somme. The fighting took place during worsening weather and
dreadful battlefield conditions with the attack meeting fierce German resistance. On 8th
October, the Major General commanding 41st Division, Royal West Kent Regiment,
personally penned the following statement:

“To: Lance Corporal James Henry Saunders, 10th Royal West Kent I wish to place on
record my appreciation of your gallantry in gaining touch with Advanced Posts, in broad
daylight and under heavy rifle fire, in front of the gird trench.”

James Saunders was subsequently awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Battle and
received a congratulatory letter from King George V, but on 11th February 1917, he
was tragically killed in action.

In Memoriam: Buried at Dickesbusch New Military Cemetery, Leper, West Vlaanderen,
Belgium. The grave is marked with a white wooden cross with James Saunders' details
engraved.

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