Henderson, Robert James, MC (Captain, b.1886 - d.1918)

Places
Accession Number 1DRL/0345
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement 3 wallets: 7 cms.
Object type Papers
Maker Henderson, Robert James
Place made Belgium, Egypt, France, United Kingdom: Scotland
Date made 1915-1918
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM93 12/11/143
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.
Description

Collection relating to the service of Captain Robert James Henderson, MC, 13 Battalion, AIF. Collection consists of photographs, certificates, documents, postcards and personal letters. The majority of the letters were written by Captain Robert James Henderson, MC, to his mother, between July 1915 and April 1918.

History / Summary

The letters written by Captain Robert James Henderson, MC & Bar, to his mother and other members of his family, reveal him to have been a man with a tremendous love of life, who embraced new experiences with enthusiasm. Letters written during his 6 months of convalescence in London show his gregarious nature and his love of big city life, and contain much description of theatre and night-life in London at the time. Henderson enjoyed mixing with members of London society - "all the best people", as he termed them - which he apparently did with ease. He appears to have been a man of considerable personal charm, intelligence and leadership ability. An avid sportsman, he participated in Rugby and cricket matches, as well as training sporting teams and organising sporting competitions for his men. A conscientious and hard-working company commander, Henderson was remarkably sanguine about the dangers of warfare and his personal fate, courageous and enthusiastic in battle, and genuinely admired and respected by his fellow officers and his men.

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