Career
He remained in the Royal Air Force postwar, serving until 1927. Alfred William Saunders originally served in the Royal Field Artillery. On 25 August 1916, second lieutenant A. West. Saunders was appointed a Flying Officer.
In October 1917, he was assigned to 60 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory Southeast.5a pilot.
He rose to command A Flight. He scored his first aerial victory on 10 May 1918, destroying a German Pfalz Doctorate.III fighter plane.
Six days later, an Albatros Doctorate.V fell to his guns over Beaulencourt, France. On 23 May, he teamed with James Belgrave to destroy another Albatros Doctorate.V over Fricourt.
On 9 June, they teamed again, accounting for two Hannover reconnaissance planes over Arras, setting one afire and driving the other down out of control, and Saunders was an ace.
On 2 July 1918, Saunders fought his memorable action–one which would be cited as a reason for awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross. He dove 8,000 feet, leading an attack by his flight of six upon six German fighters. Saunders shot one Pfalz Doctorate.III down, and two others collided while evading his assault. Saunders was credited for all three.
On 1 August, Saunders vanquished one of the new Fokker Doctorate.VIIs, sending it out of control over Bapaume.
A week later, it was the turn of a German reconnaissance two-seater to fall out of control over Chaulnes. The next day, 9 August 1918, Saunders shot down two Fokker Doctorate.VIIs.
Saunders remained in the Royal Air Force after the armistice of 11 November 1918 caused massive changes in its structure. On 31 October 1919, he was appointed lieutenant.
Then, on 10 December 1919, he was appointed temporary lieutenant.
Two days later, on 12 December 1919, he was appointed a Flying Officer. On 5 February 1923, Saunders transferred to the Class A Reserve of the Royal Air Force. On 16 December 1924, he then transferred to the Class C Reserve of the Royal Air Force. On 5 February 1927, he gave up his commission upon completion of service. Alfred William Saunders died in a flying accident.
He crashed a de Havilland Gipsy Moth in Auckland, New Zealand on 22 May 1930.
