William Sanders Retirement Village
Each Ryman village is named in honour of a Kiwi or Aussie trailblazer: Anthony Wilding, Lady Diana Isaac, Evelyn Page. They pushed further and set the bar high for others to aspire to. In creating communities that challenge the expectations of ageing, Ryman villages are also setting the bar high. They’re demonstrating that a retirement lifestyle brimming with new experiences, connections and fulfilment is something we should aspire to. Our Kiwi and Aussie namesakes represent the measure of inspiration, while Ryman villages represent the measure of retirement living.
William Sanders (1883-1917)
Lieutenant Commander William Edward Sanders was a brave and dedicated naval officer in WWI who competently led his men through incredibly trying times. He is the only New Zealander to have been awarded the Victoria Cross in a naval action.
Born in Auckland in 1883, Sanders gained an appreciation and love for water while swimming and sailing on school excursions to Lake Takapuna. He earned his extra-master's certificate in Sydney in 1914 before joining the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. Having applied for the Royal Naval Reserve early during the war, it wasn’t until 1916 when Sanders was commissioned as a submarine lieutenant.
Following mine-sweeping services in the English Channel, Sanders volunteered for submarine decoy vessels, otherwise known as special service ships or Q-ships. Sanders experience was sought after as these sailing ships required men with sailing expertise.
His first patrol as captain in April 1917 saw Sanders lead his crew through an attack from a German U-boat. His determination and calm demeanour as he crawled along the ship reassuring his crew is what earned him the Victoria Cross. He received the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the face of the enemy and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander.
Sanders was killed in a torpedo attack later in 1917 and awarded the Distinguished Service Order posthumously. Several memorials have been built in his honour including the Sanders Cup yachting trophy and the Sanders Memorial Scholarship at the University of Auckland.
Read more about the brave and courageous life of William Sanders in the biography 'Sanders, William Edward’ by Denis Fairfax on the Te Ara encyclopedia website.
