Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Henderson, one of 10 children of whom only 4 survived, was the eldest of 2 sons and 2 daughters. His father John William Henderson born at Toft Hill, County Durham, married Ann Irwin, known affectionately as Annie, born at Dunston, Gateshead, County Durham, in 1871, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in 1891. In 1891 they were living at Flag Row, Crook and Billy Row, John supported his wife, William (3) and new born George Edward, employed as a coal miner/hewer. Daughter Hester was born at East Hedley Hope in 1904, Annie in 1906 at Sunniside. Ten years later they had moved to 9, Linder Terrace, Ferryhill, William, only 14 years of age, had joined his father at the colliery, employed as an assistant banksman, George Edward was a scholar, their sisters 7 and 5, remained at home with their mother.
Between 1911 and 1914 they moved to Office Row, Hedley Hill. When war was declared with Germany in 1914 William was only 16 years of age, too young to enlist, however, so eager was he to serve his county that he lied about his age. He presented himself at the recruitment office at Consett, July 20th 1915, telling them he was 18 years 4 months of age. Assigned as Private 4107 Durham Light Infantry he was posted to the 3rd/8th Battalion, one of the second line battalions of men only fit for home service, the recovering wounded from the 2nd Battle of Ypres in Belgium and recruits in training for service overseas. During his period of training he qualified as a signaller.
He embarked at Southampton March 7th 1916 landing at Le Havre the following day joining the O.C. unit and posted to “C” Coy. 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. His parents made a desperate attempt to have him sent home providing proof of his age as not yet 18 years of age. The Territorial Force Records Office, York, wrote to the D.A.A.G, British Expeditionary Force, March 20th 1916, the following letter, “With reference to the attached application on behalf of No. 4107 Private William Henderson, 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, when this lad enlisted 20th July 1915, he gave his age as 18 years 4 months. According to the certificate of birth, which has been produced and which I have examined, he was born 14th March 1898” and that same day confirmed to William’s father stating, “Dear Sir, With reference to your application on behalf of your son, No.4107 Private William Henderson, 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, I have forwarded the same to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force for his action. Herewith I am returning the Certificate of Birth. Yours Faithfully”. The response by the Army to his family’s request, was, to say the least disappointing, it stated, “With reference to correspondence your No.N4614 dated 20th inst please note that No.4107 Pte. W. Henderson 1/8th Durham Light Infantry will be held to serve in this Country in accordance with War Office Letter N0.9/General No./5383 D. (A.G.2.B.) para 2 (c) dated 6th September, 1915. Please inform the applicant accordingly.” The aforementioned, “country”, referred to France.
Private Henderson’s battalion as part of the 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division served until August 1916 in the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium at Armentieres and Kemmel before moving south to the Somme where they participated as of September 1916 sustaining heavy casualties at Le Sars and at the Butte de Warlencourt, November 5th. Hindered by the mud and rain the attack failed and the battalion sustained almost 150 men killed or wounded. Amongst the wounded was Private Henderson, a gunshot wound to the left eye. He was taken by the 1/3rd Division Field Ambulance to the Casualty Clearing Station and transferred back through the lines to the 4th General Hospital at Camiens by November 6th. He was transferred November 11th to the 45th Base Depot and from there to the Base Depot at Etaples, returning to his unit March 21st 1917, with a change of service number as Private 301068 and assigned to No. 1 Coy 1st/8th Battalion D.L.I.
The 1st/8th Battalion was now in the Arras sector where they participated during the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May 16th 1917 and battle concluded remained in the sector. Prior to the commencement of the battle, April 5th 1917, Private Henderson was appointed paid Lance Corporal, April 18th he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Corporal 301068 William Henderson Durham Light Infantry received gunshot wounds to the arm and right thigh, April 24th 1917, and succumbed to wounds sustained April 26th 1917. He was interred at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais, France, grave I. C. 17. He was 19 years of age and single.
His father John William Henderson of 10, Office Row, East Hedley Hope, near Tow Law, County Durham, received all monies due to him, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal and his personal belonging, August 28th 1917. He commissioned at a cost of 3 shillings 9 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “Thy Will Be Done.”
William’s brother George Edward, born March 12th 1900 was not eligible to serve during WW1. He married in 1922 to Mary E. Stores born March 31st 1902, with whom he had a daughter Joyce born February 17th 1924 in the district of Lanchester. In 1939 they were living at Baff Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, where George Edward was employed at the colliery as a hewer. He died in 1969 registered at Durham Central.
Details as regards William’s parents and sisters, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Henderson is remembered at Satley on S116.01 and at Tow Law on T57.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 97
