Medals awarded to Ted Saunders, the brother of Flight Sergeant Geoff Saunders who was killed when his Lancaster bomber was shot down over Germany
The family of a Cardiff Airman has been honoured 70 years after he was killed in action during the Second World War.
614 Squadron’s Wing Commander, Phil Sagar said: “We are honoured to be able to remember and recognise the service and sacrifice made by Flight Sergeant George Saunders, and to ensure that his family received his service medals in his memory. “
Flight sergeant George Arthur Saunders was shot down in his Lancaster Bomber following a raid on Berlin on 24 March 1944. His brother Ted and nephew Phil Saunders were joined by other family members and close friends at an emotional ceremony at 614 Squadron, Ty Llewellyn in Cardiff to receive a number of military medals in honour of his wartime service.
George, from Cardiff, was returning from a night raid on Berlin when his Lancaster ND642 was shot down and crashed just north of the German town of Eilenburg. His crew mates were all from Wales, with the exception of Flight Engineer David Harris who came from Essex. George was buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, where his nephew Phil has visited his grave and left a plaque in memory of his uncle.
More than 70 years on, his family was presented with the 1939-1945 Star Medal, the Air Crew Europe Star Medal and the War Medal by 614 Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Phil Sagar.
George’s brother, Ted Saunders was also presented with a Bomber Command lapel pin in memory of George.
Ted Saunders, along with his wife and son, said: “It was a wonderful pleasure to be here. I am so proud. I will put the medals in a position of prominence somewhere at home.”
George worked as a railway clerk before enlisting in the RAF on 24 July 1941. He was initially recommended for pilot training where he trained as a navigator before being promoted to flight sergeant. The pilot and George’s crew mate Alfryn Jenkins from Penclawdd was the uncle of Welsh composer Karl Jenkins who went on to compose a piece of music ‘For the fallen’ in memory of his viola playing uncle.
The piece was played at the medal presentation ceremony at Ty Llewellyn, in memory of George, Alfryn and the rest of the crew.
Squadron Leader Mat Best said: “Although this is a positive occasion it is also one marked with solemnity as we recognise the lives and deaths of our fallen comrades.”
