ERIC SAUNDERS, B.E.M., 1912-1966
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Eric Saunders, B.E.M., 1912-1966
Eric Saunders was born on November 1, 1912. Both his
parents were school teachers as were both his father's brothers.
At a very early age he showed signs of his artistic skill. He
attended Northwold Road School from 1917 until 1924 when he
applied, and was accepted for Bancroft's School, Woodford Green,
as a day boy.
It was whilst at school that he made an acquaintance with
whom a friendly artistic rivalry sprang up. In later life this
friendship was to stand him in good stead. He remained at
Bancroft's from the autumn term 1924 until early in 1931 becom-
ing progressively monitor and subsequently Captain of West
House. In 1929 he matriculated with honours and also took an
Essex County Art Scholarship which enabled him to remain at
the school for a further two years. Not only did he shine with
scholastic honours, he was also an excellent sportsman, playing
in the school's 1st XV for Rugby football for 1928 and the two
following years and in the Cricket 1st XI in 1929 and 1930. As
an athlete he achieved honours in cross-country running, throwing
the cricket ball and in the long jump. He was selected to play
cricket for the Young Amateurs of Essex in the match against the
Young Amateurs of Surrey, played at the Oval where he took 3 of
the 4 wickets that fell, and was without question the fastest
bowler on either side. He was also selected to play for the
Eastern Counties Public Schoolboys Rugby XV and in addition
won the Hall Cup presented annually for the best all-round
athlete.
His artistic ability enabled him to take many drawing prizes,
although in some years this honour went to his rival. Nevertheless
they collaborated to prepare the scenery for the school's dramatic
production of "Much Ado About Nothing" at Christmas 1928. His,
friendly rival recalls him at school as having a great love of
animals and of nature in general and his love of and skill in
drawing natural history subjects. His natural honesty and
straightforwardness were outstanding characteristics which
endeared him to all his school-fellows.
When he left school he obtained a lowly paid post as a costing
clerk with a well-known firm of printers and engravers. He con-
tinued these duties not very happily for some three years. In
1932 he started evening art classes at the Regent Street Poly-
technic attending five nights a week for a period of seven years
until the outbreak of war in 1939. In 1934 his artistic ability
was noticed by his employers and he was transferred to their
designing department. With typical thoroughness he learned ,all
the aspects of printing, copper plate, litho, rotogravure and so on,
he also learnt engraving. His knowledge of all aspects of art and
printing became encyclopaedic and he was gifted with an excep-
tional memory. After the outbreak of hostilities his employers
were undertaking work for the War Office and Eric was apparently