[3] On 6 May 1935, he married Merle Moore at St Andrew's Church, Blenheim,[3] and the couple went on to have three children.

[4] A member of the Wairau Rowing Club,[1] Saunders represented New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario.

[5] At the 1932 Summer Olympics, he was part of the New Zealand men's coxed four that finished fourth in the final.

[2] In the 1975 Queen's Birthday Honours, Saunders was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rowing and the community.

[6] He died on 1 September 1994,[7] and his ashes were buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.