James Peter Henderson MM & Bar

Personal Information
Date of Birth	Not known
Place of Birth	Charters Towers, Queensland
Death	19 Aug 1958
Place of Death	East Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	25 years, 1 month
Description	5'7½" (1.71m) tall; weight 135 lbs (61.2 kg); medium complexion, blue eyes, dark hair
Occupation	plumber
Religion	Church of Christ
Address	NOK Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr David Henderson
Military Information
Reg Number	7255
Date of Enlistment	30 Oct 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	16th Battalion, 24th Reinforcement, transferred to 5th Machine Gun Battalion
Date of Embarkation	29 Jan 1917 - 27 Mar 1917
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A28 Miltiades
Date of Return	19 Jun 1919 - 7 Aug 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Windhuk
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	none as yet
Medals	Military Medal & Bar British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

NOK lived in Armadale, he was living in Kalgoorlie at the time of enlistment

War Service

On arrival in England he was sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford, commencing 27 Mar 1917. On 31 May 1917 he was transferred to the 5th Machine Gun Battalion at Perham Downs. Following more specialist training he proceeded overseas to France, arriving in Le Havre on 7 Sep 1917.

Promoted to Corporal on 16 Mar 1918, and Temporary Sergeant on 30 May 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal on 1 Jun 1918 for his efforts on the night of 24 Apr 1918 in the attack on Villers-Bretonneux.

He was promoted Sergeant on 1 Aug 1918 and on 2 Sep 1918 he was again noted for his behaviour in the field, winning a Bar to his MM during the attack that captured Péronne.

Soon after, on 17 Sep 1918 he was given leave in England and told to report to the Machine Gun Training depot. Within a week he was ill and on 19 Oct 1918 was admitted to hospital for 4 days.

On 29 Mar 1919 James again is sent to France, this time to work with the Graves Registration Unit for a week before rejoining the 5th Machine Gun Battalion. He received the bar to his MM two days before boarding the SS Winduk for Australia.

Discharged medically unfit on 2 Oct 1919 at 5th Military District.

Award Comment

Military Medal awarded 1 Jun 1918

"During the first advance of the 60th Battalion near VILLERS-BRETONNEUX East of ARMIENS on the night of 24/4/18 this NCO had charge of the VICKERS Machine guns on the left flank of the 60th Bn. He handed his guns most skilfully and boldly during the advance and on reaching his objective he showed great initiative in collecting captured German Machine Guns and placing them in position for defensive purposes. During the second advance of the Battalion on 27/4/18 this NCO again skilfully controlled the guns on the left flank. When the enemy attempted to mass for counter-attack, great havoc was wrought by this NCO's guns. During the whole operation he displayed courage and devotion to duty ". JT HOBBS Major General

Bar to Military Medal awarded 17 Jun 1919

"During the operations with 15th Infantry Brigade at PÉRONNE on 2nd September 1918 this N.C.O. had charge of a Machine Gun Section. He was constantly under fire, but coolly and skilfully controlled his Section, taking his guns forward, very close in support of the Infantry. By his exceptional courage, initiative and devotion to duty he set a splendid example to his men. They rendered very effective help in the attack. Sergeant HENDERSON skilfully supervised the maintenance of his communications."

Post War

Married 1926 in East Coolgardie to Lavinia A Longwood.

Electoral Roll entries - 1931 a prospector with Lavinia Agnes and Jessie at Edjudina (240 km NE of Kalgoorlie); 1943 truck driver with Lavinia at 18e Campbell street, Kalgoorlie; 1949 Lavinia alone at 18e Campbell street; 1954-58 both at 13 Outridge terrace, Kalgoorlie - wood cutter; 1963-68 Lavinia at Outridge terrace.

Parents still living in Armadale in 1923. A road in Armadale bears his family's name.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial