William Edward Sanders | |
|---|---|
 Sanders, c. 1916–17 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Gunner Billy" |
| Born | 7 February 1883 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 14 August 1917 (aged 34) at sea, in the Atlantic Ocean |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Service/ | |
| Years of service | 1915–1917 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Commands held | HMS Prize |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | |
William Edward Sanders VC DSO (7 February 1883 – 14 August 1917) was a First World War New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that could be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces at the time.
Born in Auckland, Sanders took up a seafaring career in 1899. He initially worked aboard steamships before transferring to sailing ships to enhance his career prospects. Sanders earned a master's certificate in late 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War. He then served aboard troopships in the Merchant Navy until April 1916, when he was commissioned in the Royal Naval Reserve. He completed his military training in the United Kingdom, after which he served aboard Helgoland, a Q-ship that operated against German submarines. His performance on his first two patrols earned him his own command, HMS Prize, in February 1917.
Sanders was awarded the VC for his actions while on his first patrol as captain, when Prize engaged and drove off a German U-boat that had earlier attacked and damaged his ship. He was killed in action during Prize's fourth patrol when a U-boat sank his ship. His VC, the first and only such medal to be awarded to a New Zealander serving with a naval force, was presented to his father and is held by the Auckland War Memorial Museum. There are several tributes to Sanders, including the Sanders Memorial Cup, a sailing trophy for 14-foot (4.3 m) yachts.