Charles Edward Saunders (13 September 1902 – 1 September 1994) was a New Zealand rower who competed at the

1930 British Empire Games The 1930 British Empire Games were the inaugural edition of what now is known as the Commonwealth Games, and were held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 to 23 August 1930. The games were organized by ''Hamilton Spectator'' sportswriter Bobby Robinso ...

, winning two medals, and at the

1932 Summer Olympics The 1932 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the X Olympiad and also known as Los Angeles 1932) were an international multi-sport event held from July 30 to August 14, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. The Games were held duri ...

Early life and family

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

Rowing

A member of the Wairau Rowing Club, Saunders represented New Zealand at the

in Hamilton, Ontario. 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. At the

, he was part of the New Zealand men's coxed four that finished fourth in the final.

Later life and death

In the

1975 Queen's Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours 1975 were appointments in many of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. They were published on 6 June 1975 for ...

, Saunders was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rowing and the community. He died on 1 September 1994, and his ashes were buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Saunders, Charles 1902 births 1994 deaths Sportspeople from Blenheim, New Zealand New Zealand male rowers Olympic rowers for New Zealand Rowers at the 1932 Summer Olympics Rowers at the 1930 British Empire Games Commonwealth Games silver medallists for New Zealand Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for New Zealand New Zealand Members of the Order of the British Empire Commonwealth Games medallists in rowing Burials at Omaka Cemetery New Zealand justices of the peace Medallists at the 1930 British Empire Games