George Sanders

George Sanders VC MC was born in England. He became a recipient of the Victoria Cross, which is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Sanders enlisted on 9 November 1914 as a Private Soldier and later a Corporal in the 1/7th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. After arriving in France in April 1915, during the Battle of the Somme near Thiepval on 1 July 1916, Sanders’ battalion advanced into the Schwaben Redoubt.

Isolated with a party of 30 men, Sanders held off German attacks over a period of 36 hours without food or water after handing over their water to those who were wounded. The citation read:

‘His exceptional valor, resolute defense and exemplary conduct throughout were outstandingly illustrated by his organization of the position, driving away all attacks upon them, rescue of prisoners, beating down bombing attacks, and finally leading 19 out of this party safely through the Germans to our own lines.’

Gazetted on 9 September 1916, Sanders received his Victoria Cross from the King at Buckingham Palace on 18 November 1916.

He served as a Captain in the British Army during World War I, where his actions earned him the nation's premier decorations for bravery in combat. His gallantry in the face of the enemy remains a distinguished chapter in British military history.

Following his distinguished service, his highly decorated medal group, which includes his Victoria Cross and Military Cross, was sold at auction in 2017 for £240,000. These historic medals were acquired by Lord Ashcroft and are designated to be placed on display at the Imperial War Museum.