Clarence Edward Sanders. Dorking Soldier. WW1

Clarence Edward Sanders.
Photograph courtesy of Kathryn Cargill

Photograph courtesy of Royston Williamson

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to Kathryn Cargill (great niece of Clarence Sanders) for the family photographs.

Clarence Edward Sanders was born on 30th May 1889 in Dorking, Surrey to insurance agent Edward Henry and Rosa Sanders formerly Dudeney nee Miles. He was baptised on 25^th September 1889 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 14 Harrow Road West, Dorking.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Garibaldi Road in Redhill. William was working as a labourer and Rosa was at home. The household further comprised of their children: Florence, Percy, Lilian, Edward and Douglas .

William Dudeney died in the 4^th quarter of 1895 in Reigate, Surrey. Rosa Dudeney re-married Edward Henry Sanders in the 3^rd quarter of 1896 in Reigate.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 30 Odell Street, Camberwell, London. Rosa was at home and the household further comprised of her children: laundry porter Florence; carpenter’s errand boy Percy; nurse girl Lilian; Edward; Douglas; Norah and Clarence.

On 25^th May 1903 Clarence Sanders was admitted into the Scarsdale Road School in Southwark, London. At the time of his admission the family were still at 30 Odell Street.

To Flossie & Alf

from Clarrie,

I have come down to see you – with love

1914

Postcard from Clarence to his sister Florence and her husband Alfred Lake.

Courtesy of Kathryn Cargill

Clarence enlisted in London into the 8^th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number 11122. He disembarked on 17^th February 1915 in France.

Clarence Sanders was killed in action on 4^th October 1917 at The Battle of Broodseinde during the Third Battle of Ypres. His body was never found. At the time of his death he was part of the 1^st Battalion the Devonshire Regiment.

Clarence Sanders
Tyne Cot Memorial Roll of Honour
© CWGC.org

He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing in Belgium on panels 38 to 40.

Clarence received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.

Clarence’s mother Rosa received £5, 13s and 7d on 20^th April 1918; his sister Nora; £10, 12s and 1d on 10^th March 1920; and his brother Douglas; £2, 2s and 5 on 4^th May 1920 in Soldier’s Effects. Clarence’s father Edward retained £4, 15s and 6d.

Sanders Family History

Clarence’s mother Rosa Miles was born in the 2^nd quarter of 1851 in Plaistow, Sussex to cordwainer George Miles, born about 1821 in Horsham, Sussex and shoe bender Eliza Miles, born about 1824 in Nuthurst, Sussex. Rosa was baptised on 6^th July 1851 in Kirdford, Sussex.

Rosa married her first husband William Dudeney, on 20^th December 1874 at the St Mary’s church in Balham, London. At the time of their marriage the couple lived in Balham and William was working as a clerk. William was born about 1851 in Rottingdean, Sussex.

Florence “Floss” Dudeney. Photograph courtesy of Kathryn Cargill

Alfred William Lake – Florence’s husband Photograph courtesy of Kathryn Cargill

Clarence had nine known half siblings: Rosa E. born about 1876 and William G. born about 1878, both in Balham, London. Mabel M. born about 1880; Florence E. born about 1882; Percy H. born about 1884 and Lilian K. born about 1886, all in Reigate, Surrey; Edward J. born about 1889 ; Douglas F. born about 1891 and Norah E. born about 1894, all in Redhill, Surrey.

At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at South Road in Reigate. William was working as an assurance agent and Rosa was looking after their children: Rosa, William and Mabel.

Born	Dorking, Surrey

Son of	Edward Henry and Rosa Sanders

Regiment	1st Battalion, Devon Regiment
Number	11122

Date of Death	14th October 1917
Place of Death	Flanders
Cause of Death	Killed in Action

Age	19

Memorial	Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium