John Morley Henderson was one of 9 children of whom only 8 survived, I have only been able to find 7 of whom he was the 3rd born 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 marriage 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, July 27th 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.

Aged 19 years and 4 months John Morley Henderson left his employment as a pony driver and enlisted at Dover, November 8th 1915, assigned as Gunner 66886 he posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery, November 11th. His training complete he joined the 38th Company Western Section (Plymouth), Southern Coastal Defences before posting to the 139th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery and departing to France, April 1916.

Later during his service, he was assigned to the 132nd battery. The Siege Batteries were equipped with Howitzers, most often used to destroy or neutralise the enemy artillery as well as strongpoints, dumps, stores, roads and railways behind enemy lines. Having served on the Western Front, after the Armistice of 1918, he returned to England where he was discharged, January 24th 1919.

Awards British War Medal and Victory Medal.

All the Henderson brothers were eligible for war service. Private Edward Henderson Durham Light Infantry and William Thomas Henderson Northumberland Fusiliers were both killed in action, details as regards James and Henry George Henderson, unknown, as are those of the demise of Jane Ann Henderson nee Dodsworth.

John Morley Henderson was married at South Hetton, Haswell, County Durham, July 27th 1921 to Elizabeth Cresswell, born April 29th 1896 at Easington, County Durham, daughter of coal miner Benjamin Cresswell and Grace Douthwaite, with whom he had 3 children Edward 1923, Sydney 1924 and Vera 1926. In 1939 John, his wife and Vera were living at Station Street, Haswell, he was employed both above and below ground at Easington Colliery as a horse shoer.

John Morley Henderson of Carlton Terrace, Easington, died November 30th 1954 at the colliery yard, Easington Colliery, County Durham. As there are no details of any accidents or disasters on that day his demise was presumably of natural causes. He left effects in the sum of £720 1s 2d to his widow Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Henderson nee Cresswell possibly died in 1957, aged 60 years, registered Durham E. (including Easington)

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.