Henderson, WJ
(1895 - 1916)
Key Facts
DATE OF BIRTH:
13th August 1895
YEARS ATTENDED THE COLLEGE:
1908 - 1914
HOME ADDRESS WHEN AT THE COLLEGE:
Springfield, 17 Sydenham Rise, Forest Hill
REGIMENT
9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
FINAL RANK:
Captain
DATE OF DEATH:
6th July 1916
AGE AT DEATH:
20
WHERE HE DIED (or was wounded)
Ypres
LOCATION OF GRAVE OR MEMORIAL:
Thiepval Memorial Panel 11A
Captain William James Henderson
William was born on August 13th 1895, the son of George Henderson, a resident of Forest Hill. He started at Dulwich in the summer of 1908, and in 1911, the year after he had been joined at the College by his younger brother, George, he was awarded a senior scholarship. In the autumn of 1913 William became a member of the 2nd XV; this was to be the start of his final year, however, as he left the following summer to take up a scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
William never took up his scholarship however, as shortly before he was due to start at Oxford war was declared in Europe, and he instead enlisted in the army, being granted a commission in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment shortly afterwards. That December he was promoted to Lieutenant and promoted once more to Captain the following July. During the first half of 1916 he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the M.C. for his commendable service in the Ypres sector. That summer, on July 6th 1916, he was killed in action, aged just 20; he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
