John Davis's Story.
Birkenhead News 07 March 1917
Sergt. “Jack” Saunders.
Former Birkenhead Licensee Killed in Action
Many friends in Birkenhead will learn with great regret that Sergeant J. W. Saunders (“Jack”) of the King’s Liverpool Regt. was killed in action on Feb 11th. Details are not yet to hand.
Sergt. Saunders was the son of the late Alexander Saunders of the Pier Hotel, Birkenhead, and stepson of Mrs. Saunders now of the Heswall Hotel, Heswall. After his father’s death he became licensee of the Pier Hotel, and conducted it for two or three years. He was well known in local swimming circles, and like his father before him, was greatly interested in Freemasonry. He was a member of the Mersey Lodge, a founder and officer of the James Thompson Lodge and was also connected with the Mark and Royal Arch Chapter. He was at one time an ardent volunteer, and attained the rank of sergeant in the 4th Cheshires. On the outbreak of war, he joined the Liverpool Pals, and was very quickly made a corporal. He attained his sergeant’s stripes in France.
John Saunders' brother, Samuel also served during the First World War in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 143rd Battalion (service number 826128)
The extract from the Birkenhead News has been reproduced word for word, however, some details in the article are incorrect. John (Jack) is John Davis Saunders not J W Saunders and he died on the 12th February 1917 (per Commonwealth War Graves Commission database) not 11th February.