| Accession Number | H15112 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | Belgium |
| Date made | c 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Informal portrait of Captain (Capt) Robert James Henderson MC and Bar (left) with E E Plucknett ...
Description
Informal portrait of Captain (Capt) Robert James Henderson MC and Bar (left) with E E Plucknett MC, Quartermaster, of the 13th Battalion. Henderson, was an electrical engineer of Drummoyne, NSW, prior to enlisting on 23 May 1915. He embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Shropshire on 20 August 1915 as a private with regimental number 2392, with the 7th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion. Henderson was promoted to second lieutenant on 16 March 1916 and wounded in action on 2 September 1916 in France. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 25 August 1917 in Belgium for, '...conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty...' Henderson was commissioned as a captain on 31 August 1917 and He displayed the greatest coolness & courage on two critical occasions, when his company had been caught in heavy barrage in the open. He also worked at the consolidation of a position for three days under heavy shell fire, successfully completing the task. His personal reconnaissance reports from the front line were most valuable. He died of wounds on 13 May 1918 in France and was posthumously awarded the bar to his MC on 16 September 1918.