Arthur Henderson (VC)

For other people named Arthur Henderson, see Arthur Henderson (disambiguation).

Arthur Henderson
Born(1893-05-06)6 May 1893
Paisley, Renfrewshire
Died24 April 1917(1917-04-24) (aged 23)
Fontaine-les-Croisilles, France
Buried
Cojeul British Cemetery, Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1914 – 1917 †
RankCaptain
UnitArgyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Battles / warsWorld War I
Awards

Arthur Henderson VC, MC (6 May 1893 – 24 April 1917) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Henderson was born 6 May 1893 to George Henderson OBE, a Magistrate of Paisley, and Elizabeth Purdie.[1]

He was 23 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 4th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), British Army, attached to 2nd Battalion during the First World War. On 23 April 1917 near Fontaine-les-Croisilles, France, he performed the deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He died the following day.

Citation

2nd Lieutenant (acting Captain) Arthur Henderson, M.C., late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

For most conspicuous bravery.

During an attack on the enemy trenches this officer, although almost immediately wounded in the left arm, led his Company through the front enemy line until he gained his final objective.

He then proceeded to consolidate his position, which, owing to heavy gun and machine gun fire and bombing attacks, was in danger of being isolated.

By his cheerful courage and coolness he was enabled to maintain the spirit of his men under most trying conditions.

Captain Henderson was killed after he had successfully accomplished his task.

— London Gazette[2][3]

Further information

Buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Cojeul British Cemetery, Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul, Pas-de-Calais, France.[1]

His name appears on the war memorial in Gordon in the Scottish borders, showing the fact that he won the VC.

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

References

  1. ^ a b Henderson, Arthur, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  2. ^ "No. 30167". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 July 1917. p. 6697.
  3. ^ "No. 31340". The London Gazette. 15 May 1919. p. 6084.

Bibliography