| Charles Saunders | |
| Birth Name: | Charles Edward Saunders |
| Birth Date: | 13 September 1902 |
| Birth Place: | Blenheim, New Zealand |
| Height: | 5feet[1] |
| Weight: | 166lb |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Sport: | Rowing |
| Club: | Wairau Rowing Club |
| Show-Medals: | yes |
Charles Edward Saunders (13 September 1902 - 1 September 1994) was a New Zealand rower who competed at the 1930 British Empire Games, winning two medals, and at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Born in Blenheim on 13 September 1902,[2] Saunders was the youngest son of George Frederick Saunders and Elizabeth Saunders (née Lawrance). On 6 May 1935, he married Merle Moore at St Andrew's Church, Blenheim,[3] and the couple went on to have three children.
A member of the Wairau Rowing Club,[1] Saunders represented New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario.[4] He was a member of the men's eight that won the silver medal, and the men's coxless four that won the bronze medal.[4]
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. He died on 1 September 1994, [5] and his ashes were buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.[6] [7]