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

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.

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.

• Letters from Robert James Henderson, 1915
• Letters from Robert James Henderson, January - June 1916
• Letters from Robert James Henderson, July - December 1916
• Letters from Robert James Henderson, January - June 1917
• Letters from Robert James Henderson, July - December 1917
• Letters from Robert James Henderson, 1918
• Postcards from Robert James Henderson, 1915-1918
• Photographs relating to Robert James Henderson, 1916-1918
• Material relating to the promotion and awards of Robert James Henderson, 1916-1919