officer he assisted said: a shell landed and blew part of his (Arthur's) left leg off, above the knee". A tourniquet was applied and he continued to fight, using a Lewis gun to hold back advancing German troops, some 150 in number. The Germans were somewhat surprised when this heavily injured man began to fire on them. The officer also then joined in the attack. The Germans retreated. They were recovered by stretcher bearers from the Royal Engineers, but further shelling left them abandoned before eventually being brought to an Advanced Dressing Station by stretcher bearers from the Scots Guards. The Victoria Cross was announced on 30 March 1916, whilst still convalescing in hospital. It was the first VC to be awarded to the Suffolk Regiment so they were very proud of him. Lt Crispinson was awarded the Military Cross for his own part. Common belief states that the wounds to his leg meant that it was amputated when he reached an Advanced Dressing Station. However, this is inaccurate. After medical attention and a period of convalescence his leg had become 3 inches shorter therefore he wore a medical boot to aid his walking. On account of his wounds he was returned to England, and received a hero's welcome in his town home of Ipswich on 22 June 1916. He met the town's mayor at the town hall with senior officers from his regiment. A collection held in his honour enabled him to purchase a house on Foxhall Road in the California district of east Ipswich. He was presented with his Victoria Cross on 27 June 1916 by King George V at Buckingham Palace. He was discharged from the army at the depot of the Suffolk Regiment on 13 November 1916. He was awarded the Silver War Badge on 5 December 1916. After the war he received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal, as complements to his Victoria Cross. In 1920 he was given Freedom of the Burgh of Ipswich, and in 1923 was made a Justice of the Peace. In 1939, Saunders worked as a drawing office clerk in Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries lawn mower department. During the Second World War he served in the 11th Suffolk Home Guard. Early in 1947 he was invited to a dinner in his honour in Glasgow by the Cameron Highlanders whose retreat he had protected back in 1915