428 Sergeant later T/Captain William Ewart Sunderland.
1/6th Battery, 1/1st East Lancashire Brigade R.F.A. (T.F.). Awarded
the M.C., in the London Gazette of 3 June 1919. Awarded the D.C.M. in the London
Gazette of 15 August 1915. Mentioned in Dispatches in the London Gazette of
11 June 1918. Mentioned in Dispatches in the London Gazette of April/May 1919
page 7218.
William Ewart Sunderland was born circa 1892 and enlisted into the 6th (Burnley) Battery of the 1st East Lancashire Brigade R.F.A., circa 1909.
The citation for his D.C.M. published in the London Gazette reads, "For
conspicuous gallantry on the 4th June 1915, on the Gallipoli Peninsula, when
in charge of a gun in action in a forward position exposed to heavy shellfire.
He has subsequently on several occasions shown marked coolness and has set a
fine example to his men."
1/6th Battery, 1/1st East Lancashire Brigade R.F.A. (T.F.), was later re-numbered "B" Battery 210th (East Lancashire) Brigade R.F.A. (T.F.).
Commissioned from the ranks to 2/Lieutenant on
2 November 1915 after which he served with the "D" Battery, 101st
Brigade. This was the Howitzer Brigade of the 22nd Division, which served for
most of the war in Salonika.
.
Twice Mentioned in Dispatches "for gallant
and distinguished services in the field."
The Military Cross was a King's Birthday Award under the heading: - "For distinguished service in connection with military operations in the Balkans."
The 1891 Census shows that his father was living at 74, Canning
Street, Burnley and was described as being 33 years of age, a shop manager and
born at Halifax, Yorkshire. His wife Mary was aged 30 and was born at Sheffield,
Yorkshire. They had one child at this time, Gladys aged 1 year and born at Burnley,
Lancashire.