Neck badge of the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George : Lieutenant Colonel W A Henderson, 1 Australian Division Engineers

Neck badge of the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in original presentation box.

Born in Richmond, Victoria in 1882, William Alexander Henderson was educated at Ulmarra Public School in New South Wales. He trained as an architect and was working in that profession when he enlisted in the AIF in September 1915. With several years' experience in the Militia, Henderson obtained a commission in the AIF and was appointed Commanding Officer, 5th Field Company, Engineers. He embarked with his unit aboard HMAT A40 Ceramic at Melbourne in November 1915. Henderson was recommended for, but did not receive, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his work under heavy artillery fire at Pozieres in July 1916. In October 1916 Henderson was appointed Acting Commander, Royal Engineers (CRE), 2nd Division.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed to command the 1st Pioneer Battalion in January 1917, Henderson was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO for his work with this unit during the campaigns of that year. The DSO citation refers to his devotion to duty and disregard for personal risk while supervising the construction of trenches and railway tracks during the fighting at Gueudecourt, Bullecourt and Ypres. He was one of only 35 engineers to receive the DSO during the war.

After a short detachment to the Pioneer Instructional School at Rouen, between February and May 1918, Henderson was appointed CRE, 1st Division. He held this command for the remainder of the war.

For his eminent service during the war, Henderson was also twice mentioned in despatches, made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) and made an officer of the Order of Leopold by the Belgian Government. His citation for the CMG reads, 'For conspicuous devotion to duty during the period Midnight 16-17th September to 11th November 1918. Lt-Col Henderson has done exceptional work during a very trying period. His work has been thorough and his personal supervision of engineering work and the supply of R.E. material has been constantly a great help to success.' Henderson is mentioned in two volumes (1916 and 1917) of C E W Bean's Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18.

After the First World War, Henderson maintained his connection with the army by serving with the Militia and was later awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration for his long service. During the Second World War he served as Chief Engineer, Headquarters Southern Command, and then as Temporary Brigadier and Acting Chief Engineer, 2nd Australian Army until his discharge on 3 June 1943. William Henderson died in Melbourne in 1949.

• Distinguished Service Order : Lieutenant Colonel W A Henderson, 1 Pioneer Battalion, AIF
• 1914-15 Star : Major W A Henderson, 5 Field Company Engineers AIF
• British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant Colonel W A Henderson AIF
• Victory Medal with MID : Lieutenant Colonel W A Henderson, AIF
• Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration : Lieutenant Colonel W A Henderson, Australian Engineers