Lot Essay
INDENTVictoria Cross London Gazette 5.7.1917., Arthur Henderson, M.C., Second Lieutenant (Acting Captain), late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy trenches this officer, although almost immediately wounded in the left arm, led his company through the front enemy line until he gained his final objective. He then proceeded to consolidate his position, which owing to heavy gun and machine-gun fire, and bombing attacks, was in danger of being isolated. By his cheerful courage and coolness he was able to maintain the spirit of his men under most trying conditions. Captain Henderson was killed after he had successfully accomplished his task."
M.C. London Gazette 10.1.1917. Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Special Reserve) "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his company with great courage and determination, advancing our line and consolidating the position won with great skill. He has previously done fine work."
Captain Arthur Henderson, V.C., M.C. (1893-1917), born in Paisley, enlisted into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, August, 1914 and was gazetted Second Lieutenant, Special Reserve, April 1915; as Acting Captain took part in the Battle of the Somme, 1916 (M.C.); commanded A. Company of his Battalion during the Second Battle of the Scarpe, and took part in the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Fontaine les Croisilles, 23rd. April, 1917. Two companies of the Second Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, flanked by two companies of the Middlesex Regiment and the 4th. Suffolk Regiment, began the attack at 4.45am. Henderson's Company reached their final objective at 6.30am. and consolidated their position. The Germans sucessfully counter-attacked at 10.30am. driving back the Suffolks on Henderson's right and thus isolating both the Highlanders and the Middlesex. Henderson led a bayonet charge against a 'large body' of the enemy but his Company was being attacked from the front and rear; one survivor later recalled "we were taking prisoners in front and being attacked from behind". It was not until 7.30am. the following morning that the '93rd' were withdrawn; survivors from A. Company and one platoon of B. Company, although completely isolated, had held their position against a numerically superior enemy which had withdrawn that morning leaving behind many wounded. Captain Henderson, wounded at the outset of the attack, lost his life whilst attending to his injured men.
Mr. Bailie Henderson received his son's Victoria Cross and Military Cross from the King at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, 21st. July, 1917. Captain Henderson is buried in the cemetery at St. Martin-sur-Cojeul.
M.C. London Gazette 10.1.1917. Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Special Reserve) "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his company with great courage and determination, advancing our line and consolidating the position won with great skill. He has previously done fine work."
Captain Arthur Henderson, V.C., M.C. (1893-1917), born in Paisley, enlisted into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, August, 1914 and was gazetted Second Lieutenant, Special Reserve, April 1915; as Acting Captain took part in the Battle of the Somme, 1916 (M.C.); commanded A. Company of his Battalion during the Second Battle of the Scarpe, and took part in the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Fontaine les Croisilles, 23rd. April, 1917. Two companies of the Second Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, flanked by two companies of the Middlesex Regiment and the 4th. Suffolk Regiment, began the attack at 4.45am. Henderson's Company reached their final objective at 6.30am. and consolidated their position. The Germans sucessfully counter-attacked at 10.30am. driving back the Suffolks on Henderson's right and thus isolating both the Highlanders and the Middlesex. Henderson led a bayonet charge against a 'large body' of the enemy but his Company was being attacked from the front and rear; one survivor later recalled "we were taking prisoners in front and being attacked from behind". It was not until 7.30am. the following morning that the '93rd' were withdrawn; survivors from A. Company and one platoon of B. Company, although completely isolated, had held their position against a numerically superior enemy which had withdrawn that morning leaving behind many wounded. Captain Henderson, wounded at the outset of the attack, lost his life whilst attending to his injured men.
Mr. Bailie Henderson received his son's Victoria Cross and Military Cross from the King at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, 21st. July, 1917. Captain Henderson is buried in the cemetery at St. Martin-sur-Cojeul.