SANDERS, GILBERT EDWARD, Major, was
born at Fort Yale, British Columbia, 25 December 1863, eldest son of E H
Sanders, Judge of County Courts, British Columbia. He was educated at King
Alfred's School, Wantage, and at the Royal Military College, Kingston;
entered the Royal North-West Mounted Police in 1884, as Inspector, and
subsequently was appointed Superintendent. He assisted in quelling the Riel
Rebellion, 1885 (Medal); served in the South African War, 1899-1900, in
command of a squadron of Canadian Mounted Rifles, and was present at
operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; operations in the
Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg,
Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal,
east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including action at Reit Vlei;
operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900. He was twice
wounded; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901],
received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and — for saving the life of
Sergeant Tryon, whom he brought into safety on his own horse, under heavy
fire — was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London
Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Gilbert Edward Sanders, Major, Canadian
Contingent. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". The Insignia, Warrant, etc, were sent to South Africa, and
presented at Regina 6 June 1902. Lieutenant Colonel Sanders served in the
European War, 1915-17, in France; was mentioned in Despatches, and created a
CMG in 1917. He was Police Magistrate at Calgary. His favourite recreation
was golf. He married Caroline, second daughter of Dr Jukes, and they had
two daughters.
