File:Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, 1883-1917, VC, DSO, RNR RMG BHC3145.tiff

[Updated May 2013] A head-and-shoulders portrait, facing right, with the sitter wearing a naval cap and uniform. Sanders, born in New Zealand, was originally a merchant seaman. In 1917,within three months during World War I, he rose from sub-lieutenant to lieutenant-commander and won both the Victoria Cross and -though posthumously announced- the DSO. He received his medals for skill and daring during service out of Milford Haven on HM schooner 'Prize', one of the 'Q' or 'mystery' ships used in this war. These three-masted topsail schooners acted as decoys to trap and sink German submarines. On 30 April 1917, 'Prize' was severely damaged in such an action south of Ireland with 'UB93', which was believed at the time sunk as a result, though she in fact survived and made port to give an account of 'Prize's' appearance and tactics. For his courage and coolness in this, Sanders was immediately promoted from Acting Lieutenant to Lieutenant-Commander, and awarded the Victoria Cross. It was gazetted on 22 June, a month in which he also won the DSO - though this was only announced after his death. For on 13 August 1917 the 'Prize', while operating in the Atlantic approaches with a British submarine, and flying Swedish colours, managed to draw in and open fire on UB48 but without effect. This then stalked and torpedoed her on the 14th, sinking her with all hands. McEvoy was engaged as an official war artist and was given the exacting task of commemorating posthumous VCs in oil portraits, using faded and tinted studio photographs. This portrait of Sanders - the only New Zealander to win the VC in a naval action - is part of that project. There is also a watercolour in the collection, painted in the early 1920s by Charles Dixon, of 'Prize's' engagement with 'UB93' (see PAJ3082).