Andrew Downing Saunders (22 September 1931 – 13 March 2009) was an internationally recognised expert in

artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...

fortifications A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...

and Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings in England between 1973 and 1989.

Early life

Andrew Saunders was born at St Austell, Cornwall, on 22 September 1931. He was educated at

Magdalen College School, Oxford Magdalen College School (MCS) is a public school (English independent day school) in Oxford, England, for boys aged seven to eighteen and for girls in the sixth form. It was founded by William Waynflete about 1480 as part of Magdalen College ...

, which was followed by his National Service in the RAF. On returning to civilian life Saunders read History at

Magdalen College Magdalen College (, ) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete. Today, it is the fourth wealthiest college, with a financial endowment of £332.1 million as of 2019 and one of the s ...

. During his time at university Saunders was president of the Archaeology Society, played rugby, and rowed for his college.

Professional career

Saunders joined the Ancient Monuments Inspectorate in 1954 where his work revolved around the conservation and guardianship of castles and monastic buildings. He also took part in archaeological excavations such as that at Castle Gotha near St Austell. As part of his work, in 1956 he carried out a rapid assessment of the mainly 19th-century fortifications vacated that year by the army with the abolition of Coastal Artillery. The report Saunders submitted lead to the decision to take into care certain important examples of military architecture such as

Fort Brockhurst Fort Brockhurst is one of the Palmerston Forts, in Gosport, England, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It is now an English Heritage property. History Construction, 1858–1862 Fort Brockhurst was designed by William Crossman in the 19th ce ...

and the Western Heights at Dover. The survey started what became a lifelong specialisation of Saunders' work in the study of artillery fortification. In 1964 Saunders was promoted to Inspector of Ancient Monuments for England becoming responsible for the care of over four hundred monuments throughout England. In 1973 Saunders was promoted again to Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings, a position he held until his retirement in 1989. Saunders was an influential figure in the field of castle studies, and directed excavations at

Launceston Castle Launceston Castle is located in the town of Launceston, Cornwall, England. It was probably built by Robert the Count of Mortain after 1068, and initially comprised an earthwork and timber castle with a large motte in one corner. Launceston Castl ...

and

Lydford Castle Lydford Castle is a medieval castle in the town of Lydford, Devon, England. The first castle in Lydford, sometimes termed the Norman fort, was a small ringwork built in a corner of the Anglo-Saxon fortified '' burh'' in the years after the No ...

(both in Devon).

Later life

Saunders was an active member of a number of historical and archaeological groups both during his working life and after his retirement in 1989. His roles included president of the Cornwall Archaeological Society (1968–1972), founder member and later chairman of the

Fortress Study Group The Fortress Study Group is a charity registered in the UK with an international membership. Its purpose is advancing the study of post-medieval artillery fortifications throughout the World. History The Fortress Study Group was formed in June 1 ...

(1995–2001), and founder and editor of the quarterly publication, 'Fortress'. Saunders was also a long serving council member of the

Royal Archaeological Institute The Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI) is a learned society, established in 1844, with interests in all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these ...

and president between 1993 and 1996 and chairman of the advisory panel for the Defence of Britain Project.http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/projects/DOB/ The international reputation Saunders held led to him being appointed chairman of the International Fortress Council between 1995 and 1998.

Publications

Tilbury Fort Site Plan Saunders 1960 Page034

* * Amended edition (1977) * * * * *''Book of Channel Defences'', English Heritage, London, 1997, *''Fortress Builder: Bernard de Gomme: Charles II's Military Engineer'', University of Exeter Press, 2004, *"Upnor Castle and gunpowder supply to the navy 1801-4," ''The Mariner's Mirror'', 91 (2) May 2005, 160-74

References

*Casemate, (85), 2009, pg6 {{DEFAULTSORT:Saunders, Andrew British military historians 1931 births 2009 deaths People from St Austell Alumni of Magdalen College, Oxford English archaeologists Castellologists Presidents of the Royal Archaeological Institute