Saunders initially worked in the Custom's office in Liverpool in February 1823, before taking on the role of warehouse keeper, in Halifax, Nova Scotia in September 1825.[1] In February 1828 he went on to being the controller of customs at Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, followed by a position in March 1833 of collector of customs at St. George's, Bermuda.[1]
In August 1836 he travelled to British Ceylon to take on the role of controller of customs.[1] On 1 February 1839 he was appointed the acting Postmaster General of Ceylon.[2]
In 1841 he was appointed acting collector of customs and acting warehouse keeper.[3]
In 1842 he reverted to the office of controller of customs.[4]
Saunders served as principal collector of customs from 1849 until 1961, and also served on the Legislative Council from 1850.[5][6]
Saunders married Louisa Matilda Tucker (1814–1895).[10] They had two children Elizabeth Mary (1837-1914) and Sir Frederick RichardKCMG (1838–1910), who also served as Treasurer of Ceylon and Commissioner of Stamps (1890–1897).[11]
Saunders died on 29 September 1870 in Guildford, Surrey, England, at the age of 66.[10]
^ abc"The Ceylon Almanac and Annual Register for the year 1856". Colombo: William Skeen - Government PRinter. 1856: 91. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^Shaw, William A. (2002). The Knights of England: A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of All the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, and Ireland and of Knights Bachelors. Genealogical Publishing Company. p. 382.