Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
The census of 1911 states that William Thomas Henderson was one of 9 children of whom only 8 survived, I have only been able to find 7 of whom he was the 2nd 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 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.
Unfortunately, William’s full military record has not been found. At the time of his enlistment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne he was initially assigned as Private 33320 Durham Light Infantry, his training complete Private Henderson was later transferred to the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers of the Regular Army, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division departing to the Western Front as of January 1916 with a change of service number 48294. Over the next 2 years he was posted as and when needed to other battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers, the 24th, 26th and 22nd, all of whom fought during the Battles of the Somme, the Battle of Arras and 3rd Battle of Ypres, before returning to his original unit. The 1st Northumberland Fusiliers during 1918 returned to the Somme as of March 28th when the Germans attacked again on that front where they fought until April 5th, at the Battle of Lys April 9th-29th and the 2nd Battle of the Somme August 21st-September 2nd 1918.
At the first roll call after the commencement of the 2nd Battle of the Somme Private William Thomas Henderson was reported as missing, his next of kin informed. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts he was officially struck off and declared to have been killed in action between August 21st-23rd 1918. Private Henderson has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded as one of the 9844 names inscribed on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, which forms the backdrop to the Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery. He was 27 years of age and single. The CWGC has adopted he date of August 23rd 1918 as the official date of his demise.
His mother Jane Ann received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 3, Station Street, Haswell, County Durham.
All the Henderson brothers were eligible for war service. Private Edward Henderson was killed on active service with the Durham Light Infantry, 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.
William Thomas Henderson is remembered at Haswell on H116.01 and H116.04
