ABNER EDWIN SANDERS (1884 – 1914)
Born: March 1884 in Belper, Derby
Parents: Ernest Melbourne Sanders (1858-1937) Judith Martha Spencer (1858-1930)
Residence in 1901: 108 Nottingham Rd, Belper
Occupation in 1901: Fitter
Married: Jessie Yates , March 1910 in Belper
Residence in 1911: 52 Hopping Hill, Milford
Occupation on 2nd April 1911: Millhand in a Cotton Mill (Bleach Department)
Military Service:
Private Abner E Sanders, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (8th Brigade, 3rd Division)
Reg. no. 457. Enlisted: Tuesday 23rd Feb 1904 at Normanton Barracks, Derby.
Embarked from Southampton on 13th August 1914
Wednesday 14th October 1914
Shot in the side of the head during battle of La Bassee around Bout del ville (Rue Mathieu).
Tuesday 20th October 1914 – Wife Jessie arrives at Aldershot
Tuesday 27th October 1914 – Father Ernest arrives at Aldershot
Sunday 1st November 1914 – Died of wounds at The Connaught Military Hospital, Aldershot.
Buried at Alfreton Military Cemetery
Commemorated at Alfreton War Memorial, Milford War Memorial, St Peters Marble Memorial Belper.
Derbyshire Times Saturday 31st October 1914
MILFORD SOLDIER DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED.
‘Private Abner Sanders of the Northumberland Fusiliers of Hopping Hill, Milford, a son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Sanders of Nottingham Rd Belper, now lies at Aldershot in a dangerous condition. He was engaged in the battle of La Bassee Canal and received a terrible wound in the right side of the head. Sanders underwent an operation at Aldershot, but has only been conscious at intervals since. His wife visited him on Tuesday week and has remained near ever since. In response to an urgent telegram stating “No hope of recovery” his father went to Aldershot on Tuesday morning.
Private Sanders has two little children, the youngest being under twelve months old.’
Alfreton Journal Thursday 5th November 1914
‘For the young widow, Mrs Sanders, of Hopping Hill, Milford, who is left with two young children, our heartfelt sympathy rests. A bullet received in the head while fighting for his King and Country has proved fatal to her husband, and brought sorrow into the home, as well as to many friends of the deceased. The parents of this brave young fellow reside on the Nottingham Road, Belper, and are much respected. The young wife visited her husband in hospital, but he only had periods of conciousness. Friends have been kind, but none can replace the loss of husband and father to this bereaved widow.’
