William Henry Saunders

Mr William Henry Saunders was born on 8 April 1881 at 8 North Front, Southampton, the son of Henry Robert Saunders (b. 1858) and his wife Martha (b.1847). Both of William’s parents’ originated from Pembrokeshire, Wales.  On the 1891 Census the family were living at 23 Compton Walk Southampton. His Father, Henry Snr. is registered as a Shipwright. William had other siblings, Alice b.1879 Pembrokeshire, Sidney b. 1880 Pembrokeshire, Seymour b. 1882 Pembrokeshire, Malcolm b. 1884 Scotland, Frank b. 1886 Southampton.  

The 1901 Census lists the family living at 191 Radcliffe Road, Northam, Southampton, minus Martha Saunders who died in 1900. Henry Robert Saunders died late in 1921, and both Henry and Martha are buried together in Southampton. The household listed on the 1901 Census registers as follows: Henry b. 1858, his occupation remains the same a Shipwright, Alice b.1879, William b. 1881, Seymour b. 1882, Malcolm b. 1884, and Frank b. 1886.

In 1903 Alice Beatrice Saunders married John Gale. The union of the marriage took place in Southampton. It is not known whether the marriage became estranged but Alice Gale is found on the 1911 Census living at a different location in Southampton. Alice as Head of household and Married; the other occupants included Frank Gale, (Brother-in-Law, b. 1887 Southampton), James Malcolm Saunders (age 25) and William Henry Saunders (age 20) years. The household address of all four are registered at 7 Lower William Street, Northam, Southampton.

When he signed on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 he gave his address as 136 Edward Street, Southampton. He had transferred from the Olympic.

Saunders died in the sinking. His body was never recovered.

Alice Beatrice Gale as a Sister is found as a Dependent on the Titanic Relief Fund. She was logged under the Southampton Committee and would continue to receive her weekly allowance without any fuss whatsoever. Several entries are found inside the various pages of the Minute Books at Southampton Archives under C. 243 – Alice Gale. Until her untimely death on the 1st June 1938, her last known address is recorded at 23 Bond Street Northam Southampton. Alice is buried at Hollybrook Cemetery Southampton and left the bulk of her small estate of £12. 12s. to her Brother-in Law, Frank Gale.