Capt. George Stuart Henderson - V.C, Jedburgh
The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project Forum Index -> Borders - Individual Memorials
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject: Capt. George Stuart Henderson - V.C, Jedburgh
UKNIWM Ref No. not listed
OS Map Ref: NT651207
Location: On wall of British Legion Club, High Street, Jedburgh.
"For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy. On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, when the situation was extremely critical and the troops and transport were getting out of hand, Capt. Henderson by sheer pluck and coolness, steadied his command, prevented the Company from being cut up, and saved the situation. During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his N.C.O s to hold him up on the embankment, saying 'I'm done now, don't let them beat you.'. He died fighting."
stuartn
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:16 am Post subject: WMR (ex UKNIWM) number
WMR 81051
Named on the Jedburgh War Memorial as:
HENDERSON, G. S., VC, DSO, MC, CPT. MANCH. RGT.
George Stuart Henderson, Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross – age 26 – Captain 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
George was commissioned from the Royal Military College in January 1914 and was posted to the 1st Manchesters in India. The Battalion left India in August 1914 as part of the Indian Corps and moved to France, landing at Marseilles on 26 September 1914.
George was awarded a MC as "Lieutenant George Stuart Henderson, 1st Battalion, The Manchester Regiment. Near Ypres on 26th April, 1915, after his Company Commander had been wounded, he led his company up to within 70 yards of the enemy's trenches with great gallantry and determination, and held on through several hours of daylight, and finally established himself there. Throughout the operations he set a fine example, after most of the senior officers had become casualties."
The battalion moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915 and he was awarded a DSO the following year as "Lt. (temp. Capt.) George Stuart Henderson, 1st Bn., Manch. R. For conspicuous gallantry and determination in an attack on an enemy redoubt. On entering the redoubt he organised and led bombing parties which cleared out the enemy, of whom he personally shot five. He subsequently covered our withdrawal, and was one of the last to leave the redoubt."
In 1917 he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order as "Capt. George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C., Manch. R."
He then served with the battalion in Palestine before returning to Mesopotamia at the end of the war. George was with the 2nd Manchesters when he was awarded a Victoria Cross in 1920.
Born 1893 in Gordon Berwickshire. Son of Robert and Mary Agnes (Ross) Henderson of Mount Hooly, Jedburgh.
Killed in Action on 24 July 1920 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Also named on individual memorial in Gordon Parish Church.
The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project Forum Index -> Borders - Individual Memorials All times are GMT