James Peter Henderson MM & Bar
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1891 |
| 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 ; 135 lbs 61.235 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 Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 19 Jun 1919 ‒ 7 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Windhuk |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale Panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| 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 entering Blackboy Hill camp on 30 Oct 1916 James was allocated to the 91st Depot Company for the first month of training, then transferred to the 22nd Depot Company for the next month, and then to the Signal Depot Company on 30 Dec 1916. Returning to the 95th Depot Company on 16 Jan 1917, he travelled overseas as a member of the 24th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion.
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 Parkhouse. 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 at Parkhouse. Within a week he was ill and on 19 Oct 1918 was admitted to hospital for 4 days.
On 29 Mar 1919 James again was 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 as medically unfit on 2 Oct 1919 at the 5th Military District.
Award Comment
Military Medal awarded 1 Jun 1918 (Recommendation had been for the Distinguished Conduct Medal)
"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 [1] [2]
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."[3]
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.
References
- ↑ London Gazette dated 29 August 918, page 10141, position 61
- ↑ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette (1). Australia, Australia. 2 January 1919. p. 2. Retrieved 29 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ Commonwealth Gazette No. 185 Date: 27 November 1918