Hero soldier and medium dies aged 83
Well-known Black Country spiritualist medium and former army staff sergeant Philip Saunders, better known by his middle name Howard, has died aged 83.
Mr Saunders, father of Black Country psychic Philip Solomon, lived in Bilston and Willenhall and organised popular rock 'n' roll hops and dances throughout the Midlands in his younger days.
Mr Saunders was a former member and secretary at Darlaston Spiritualist Church.
He volunteered for the army, joining the South Staffordshire Regiment, putting his age down as 18 while still only 16 and served in the Second World War, fighting in Burma at Kohima in the battles of the Admin Box and the siege at Gaol Hill.
After transferring to the Queen's Own Regiment and the Paratroop Regiment, he attained the rank of staff sergeant.
Although he never spoke of the war, his son Philip said he was told by one of Howard's comrades that he had been a very brave man. Mr Saunders was among a small group of soldiers from the Golden Arrow Regiment of combined Indian and British Troops to which he was attached, who held up the Japanese army for weeks. After the war Mr Saunders became greatly interested in the spiritual world and helped many people and churches as a spiritualist medium. His late wife Elsie was a highly acclaimed medium and president of Darlaston Spiritualist Church.
He is survived by his partner of 20 years Piari, his son Philip, daughter-in-law Kath, granddaughter Nadine, grandson Paul and great grandchildren Liam and Elise.
Philip, the Express & Star's psychic agony uncle, said today: "Dad was a war hero who never talked about it and he was always there 100 per cent for those he loved, and for a good many others too. The world will not see the likes of him again."
Mr Saunders died yesterday in New Cross Hospital.
Funeral details have yet to be announced.
