Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P. Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
The census of 1911 states that Edward Henderson was one of 9 children of whom only 8 survived, I have only been able to find 7 of whom he was the eldest of 5 brothers and 2 sisters. His father Thomas Henderson of South Hylton and mother Jane Ann Dodsworth native of Haswell, both in County Durham, were born in 1859 and 1862 respectively and married in 1884, district of Easington, County Durham. Prior to his married Thomas had been living at Hetton-le-Hole with his elder brother and 2 younger sisters, employed as a coal miner. He and his wife settled at Haswell, where Edward was born in 1888 and William Thomas in 1891 at Cresswell Lane, Thomas had abandoned the colliery and was now employed by a general dealer. Over the next ten years they had a further 5 children, Isabella in 1892, Jane Ann, November 2nd 1895, known affectionately as Jennie, John Morley 1896, James 1898 and Henry George, March 10th 1899. At the age of 13 years Edward had already left school and was employed as a milkman, his father worked for a baker and confectioner, they had moved to 2, Station Street, Haswell. Thomas Henderson died September 23rd 1904 aged only 45 years, Jane Ann remained at their home address and also took in her widowed mother Isabella Dodsworth (77), the family was supported by Edward (23) now employed by the G.P.O. (Sunderland Postal Area), as a postman, William Thomas (20) worked for a butcher, John Morley (14) as a lamp cleaner above ground at the colliery,
Edward Henderson was living at 2, Dent Street, Fulwell, Sunderland when war was declared with Germany, August 4th 1914. He was assessed at Sunderland, December 4th 1915, giving his next of kin as his mother living at 3, Station Street. He was assigned to Class B, Army Reserve as Private 4569, which is bemusing as Class B were men who had completed their service in the regular army and were serving their normal period (typically of five years) on reserve, whereas Edward had declared he had never served in any of His Majesty’s Forces. It was not until March 21st 1916 that he was posted to the 2nd/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry a Territorial Force destined for home service under the orders of the 190th Brigade, 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. Transferred to the 5th Reserve, September 1st 1916, Private Henderson departed, with a change of service number 42877, September 8th 1916 from Folkestone arriving in France the following day at Boulogne. He went on to the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, and having been posted to the 22nd Battalion joined them in the field, September 27th. The 22nd Battalion, a Pioneer battalion, was engaged on the Somme digging communication trenches and carrying the wounded for the 8th Division. March 5th 1917 during these operations Private Henderson was wounded, a gunshot wound to his upper right arm, and repatriated for treatment to England where he was admitted to the East Leeds War Hospital receiving treatment until his discharge, May 8th 1917. As a wounded soldier he did not return immediately to the front but posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, part of the Tyne Garrison at South Shields and Jarrow. As well as their garrison duties the battalion trained new recruits and retrained wounded men. Considered to be fully recovered Private Henderson was drafted to France via Folkestone to Boulogne, June 11th 1917 and at the 35th Infantry Base was temporarily posted to the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in Belgium until he was reposted to the 22nd Battalion, July 21st 1917. They too were serving in Belgium, involved all summer long digging new trenches, laying down light railway track, in preparation for the forthcoming offensives of the 3rd Battle of Ypres which raged from July 31st-November 10th 1917 remaining on the Ypres salient until March 1918 when they returned to the Somme.
Private 42877 Edward Henderson was killed in action, November 30th 1917 and interred at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres Belgium. grave III. A. 11. He was 29 years of age and single.
All monies due to him by the Army were to be divided between Jane Ann and his siblings. Brothers, William, John and James, forfeited their share in favour of their mother. She received his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and also commissioned at a cost of 1 shilling 9 pence an additional inscription to be added to her son’s military headstone, it reads, “At Rest.” March 23rd 1918, ironically the same day that his brother William was killed in action, Jane Ann received a letter and a parcel containing Edward’s personal effects, consisting of, disc, letters, photos, cards, wallet, belt and tobacco pouch.
All the Henderson brothers were eligible for war service. Private William Thomas Henderson was killed on active service with the Northumberland Fusiliers, Gunner John Morley Henderson R.G.A. survived the conflict, details as regards James and Henry George Henderson, unknown, as are those of the demise of Jane Ann Henderson nee Dodsworth.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Henderson is remembered at Haswell on H116.01 and H116.04 and at Sunderland on S140.025 and in S140.048 Part 02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 324
