Obituaries Australia

William Sanderson, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 August 1957

The death occurred at Adelaide on 22nd July of Mr. William Lauchlan Sanderson, formerly executive officer of the Pastoralists' Association of Western Australia, and later managing director of Elder, Smith and Co. Ltd.

The late Mr. Sanderson was born at Oamaru, New Zealand, in 1890, but moved to Western Australia at an early age and was educated at Scotch College, Claremont. He served as a Captain in the A.I.F. in World War I and saw service in the Gallipoli campaign as well as in Egypt and France. He was awarded the M.C., Croix de Guerre, and O.B.E., and during World War II commanded the 16th Battalion from 1940 to 1943.

After his return from overseas in 1918, Mr. Sanderson took on a partnership in Kooline Station, in the Ashburton, and retained his interest in the property for many years. At the same time he worked hard as executive officer of the Pastoralists' Association of Western Australia from 1923 to 1936.

Joining Elder, Smith and Co. Ltd. in 1936, Mr. Sanderson was made manager for Western Australia three years later, and succeeded the late Mr. T. E. Field, as general manager at Adelaide in 1945. He became managing director in 1952, and held that position until his retirement in 1955.

Mr. Sanderson was appointed by the Federal Government a member of the Commonwealth Bank Board in 1951, a position he held until his death. He was also an original member of the Australian Wool Board and was on the Federal Council of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

There have been few members of his firm who have been so genuinely liked and respected. The Hon. A. J. Melrose, M.L.C., chairman of Elder's head office board, paid this tribute to him: "All who knew Mr. Sanderson will mourn the passing of a man who served his country well both on the battlefield and in business. He had the breadth of vision to plan big things, and the administrative ability to select the right subordinates to carry out those plans. We will miss his sound advice and ready friendship, and we offer our sincere sympathy to his widow and family."

Mr. Sanderson is survived by a widow, a son and two daughters.