Charles Saunders (rower)

Charles Edward Saunders MBE JP (13 September 1902 – 9 August 1994) was a New Zealand rower who competed at the 1930 British Empire Games, winning two medals, and at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Charles Saunders
MBE JP
Personal information
Birth nameCharles Edward Saunders
Born(1902-09-13)13 September 1902
Blenheim, New Zealand
Died9 August 1994(1994-08-09) (aged 91)
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Weight75 kg (166 lb)[1]
Spouse(s)
Merle Moore
​
(m. 1935)​
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportRowing
ClubWairau Rowing Club
Medal record
Men's rowing
Representing  New Zealand
British Empire Games
1930 HamiltonEights
1930 HamiltonCoxless Fours

Early life and family

Born in Blenheim on 13 September 1902,[2] Saunders was the youngest son of George Frederick Saunders and Elizabeth Saunders (née Lawrance).[3] On 6 May 1935, he married Merle Moore at St Andrew's Church, Blenheim,[3] and the couple went on to have three children.[4]

Rowing

A member of the Wairau Rowing Club,[1] Saunders represented New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario.[5] He was a member of the men's eight that won the silver medal, and the men's coxless four that won the bronze medal.[5]

At the 1932 Summer Olympics, he was part of the New Zealand men's coxed four that finished fourth in the final.[2]

Later life and death

In the 1975 Queen's Birthday Honours, Saunders was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rowing and the community.[6] He died on 9 August 1994, and his ashes were buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.[4][7]

References
  1. "For Empire Games: the oarsmen to get their big opportunity". NZ Truth. 10 June 1930. p. 17. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  2. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Charley Saunders". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  3. "Weddings". The Press. 8 May 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  4. "Headstone image". Marlborough District Council. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  5. "Charles Saunders". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  6. "No. 46595". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 14 June 1975. p. 7407.
  7. "Cemetery records search". Marlborough District Council. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
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