William Sanderson enlisted in the 8th New Zealand Contingent for the south African War in 1902 and, like the rest of the 8th, saw little if any service. He re-enlisted in 1915 and joined the Wellington Infantry Regiment. He fought in the Battle of the Somme and went missing on October 2nd, 1916. The Wellingtons' Official History has this to say about that day: "At 3.15 p.m. on the 1st October the battalion attacked and captured Eaucourt 1'Abbaye. The attack was carried out without much difficulty, though in the night the Germans made a half-hearted counter-attack which did not cause the battalion much trouble in repulsing. Throughout this operation the companies advanced so quickly that resistance was not strong, and a valuable addition to the tactical situation was the reward. In this operation under 2nd Lieutenant R. L. King, the battalion signalling section maintained an almost uninterrupted communication between company and Battalion Headquarters. The linesmen were intrepid to a degree and took great pride in the maintenance of the telephone lines.
"The Spell of fine weather broke again and cold and showery weather supplanted it to the intense discomfort of all. All positions were consolidated and, after nightfall of the 2nd October, the Battalion turned its back on the Somme trenches, being relieved by the 1st Battalion of our Rifle Brigade."
A Court of Enquiry after the battle found that he was missing in action and a further one, presumably after no notification from the Red Cross that he was a prisoner, found that he had been killed in action, a witness stating that he saw William wounded in three places by a high explosive shell, dressed the wounds, but did not see him afterwards.
MISSING.
Private William Sanderson (who is reported missing) is 40 years of age, and the youngest son of Mr James Sanderson, Tainui road, Anderson Bay. He was born and educated at Anderson Bay. He served two years as an engineer. He saw active service in South Africa with the 8th New Zealand Mounted Contingent. For six years prior to enlisting with the 11th Reinforcements he was employed at the Crown Milling Company. -Evening Star, 6/11/1916.
NEW ZEALAND'S ROLL OF HONOUR.
SANDERSON. — On the 2nd October, 1916, somewhere in France, William Sanderson (Dod), late member of the 7th South African Contingent, and holder of Queen's Medal and two bars, beloved brother of John Sanderson, Paekakariki, killed in action. -Evening Post, 16/4/1917.
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