455 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND SANDERS, David Lyle “Dave” Dave was born in Erin Township, Ontario on January 3, 1895. He enlisted in the 56th Field Artillery in Guelph on March 27, 1916 and gave his trade as a Bell Telephone Inspector. While overseas, he was assigned to the 55th Battalion serving in France where he was gassed in August 1917. The attack affected his eyes. Following four months in hospital, he was returned to duty. In December, he fell from his horse with his left leg stuck in the stirrup. His knee was badly twisted requiring treatment in theWarrington and Orpington Military Hospitals in England. Dave was declared unfit for general duty and embarked from Liverpool on June 22, 1918 for Canada where he was discharged on August 3, 1918. David Lyle Sanders passed away on October 20, 1971 and is buried in the Erin Union Cemetery. SANDERS, Robert “James” “Jim” Robert was born in Erin, Ontario on July 1, 1897. Jim, as he was known by his second name, enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto on September 14, 1917. Following basic training, Jim, along with fellow airmen, was transferred to the Taliaferro Airfield in Texas. The United States, due to a late entry in the war, prepared by having ten squadrons train in Canada. In return the Canadian squadrons would train in Texas during the winter months. Though they were described as the toast of Fort Worth all was not fun and play. The training was rigorous, crashes were frequent, and eleven RFC airmen lost their lives. The weather was not the greatest either with rain, mud and snow. Returning in the spring of 1918, Jim was posted to the School of Aerial Gunnery at Beamsville, Ontario. At the end of the war Jim was discharged on January 10, 1919 “in consequences of being Surplus to RAF requirements.” Robert died suddenly in Toronto on April 4, 1958 and is buried in the Erin Union Cemetery. SANDERS, Henry Creighton “Harry” Henry Creighton Sanders, known to all as Harry, was born in Erin Township, Ontario on May 23, 1889. On November 13, 1917, Harry enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto. He was posted to the flying field in Deseronto for training and later to the Leaside field near Toronto. In August 1918, Harry had a crash landing but escaped without serious injury. Reports stated that Harry was now well advanced in his training however, on September 17, 1918, flying at about 1,000 feet, his aircraft suddenly burst into flames and plummeted to the ground. Harry’s body was burned beyond recognition. The Erin Continuation School flag was flown at half-mast and his funeral was held from the Sander’s family home, where Chaplain Morris of the RAF conducted the service. Six RAF Cadets were pall bearers and Cadet Henry Creighton Sanders was laid to rest with full military honours in the Erin Union Cemetery.
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