Name Charles Saunders Role Olympic athlete | Died September 1, 1994 | |
Charles Edward Saunders (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.
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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 1930 British Empire Games 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 1932 Summer Olympics, 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, Saunders was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to rowing and the community. He died on 9 August 1994, and his ashes were buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.