Captain George Stuart Henderson VC DSO and Bar, MC

Captain G S Henderson VC - Taken by Derek R for Scottish War Memorials Project 24 May 2007

Report this image

Submit a new image

Reference WMO/267009

Address:

Royal British Legion

High Street

Jedburgh

TD8 6DQ

Scotland

Open large map

Edit memorial name, location & address

Status: On original site

Type: Non freestanding

Location: External

Setting: Attached to a building/structure

Description: Board/Plaque/ Tablet

Materials:

Metal Metal (any)

Lettering: Raised

Conflicts:

First World War (1914-1918)
20th Century Wars

About the memorial: Metal plaque with the lettering in relief and a depiction of the VC on its riband on the right hand side. This battle was part of the suppression of the Iraq rebellion of 1918-22. His VC Citation-"For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy. On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, when the situation was extremely critical and the troops and transport were getting out of hand, Capt. Henderson by sheer pluck and coolness, steadied his command, prevented the Company from being cut up, and saved the situation. During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his N.C.O s to hold him up on the embankment, saying 'I'm done now, don't let them beat you.’. He died fighting."

Edit memorial details

Report a concern with this memorial

Report a duplicate memorial record

Report an inappropriate record

Submit a condition update

Report this condition update

View more details

Grants to support the repair and conservation of war memorials are available from the charity War Memorials Trust if it has raised funds. Support is focused on war memorials in Very bad or Poor condition or where there is a serious Concern.

Before applying for a grant you should read the advice available on War Memorials Trust`s website. The What we can and cannot fund helpsheet explains what types of work the charity can fund.

If you believe your project is eligible for a grant you should complete the Pre-application enquiry form. You will need to be registered and logged in to complete this.

The Pre-application enquiry form is a series of questions to see if your project is eligible. If it is, you will need to provide further details and submit current colour photographs of the war memorial in either a png, gif, jpg or jpeg format.

You can save your Pre-application enquiry form as you go along. Once submitted War Memorials Trust will respond.

Please be aware that a summary of your enquiry, without your contact details, will appear on this page once submitted. This ensures others are aware that an enquiry has been made and can read the response to avoid duplicate enquiries. Information provided by you to us will be used for the purpose of managing the grant enquiry, for further details please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

pre-application

As a charity, War Memorials Trust relies on voluntary donations and every contribution, no matter how large or small, makes a really big difference to our work. Your donation will help protect and conserve war memorials for future generations so please support War Memorials Trust’s work.

donate here

Submit a new comment

Comments:

George was commissioned from the Royal Military College in January 1914 and was posted to the 1st Manchesters in India. The Battalion left India in August 1914 as part of the Indian Corps and moved to France, landing at Marseilles on 26 September 1914.

George was awarded a MC as “Lieutenant George Stuart Henderson, 1st Battalion, The Manchester Regiment. Near Ypres on 26th April, 1915, after his Company Commander had been wounded, he led his company up to within 70 yards of the enemy's trenches with great gallantry and determination, and held on through several hours of daylight, and finally established himself there. Throughout the operations he set a fine example, after most of the senior officers had become casualties.”

The battalion moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915 and he was awarded a DSO the following year as “Lt. (temp. Capt.) George Stuart Henderson, 1st Bn., Manch. R. For conspicuous gallantry and determination in an attack on an enemy redoubt. On entering the redoubt he organised and led bombing parties which cleared out the enemy, of whom he personally shot five. He subsequently covered our withdrawal, and was one of the last to leave the redoubt.”
In 1917 he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order as “Capt. George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C., Manch. R.”

He then served with the battalion in Palestine before returning to Mesopotamia at the end of the war. George was with the 2nd Manchesters when he was awarded a Victoria Cross in 1920.

Born 1893 in Gordon Berwickshire. Son of Robert and Mary Agnes (Ross) Henderson of Mount Hooly, Jedburgh.
Killed in Action on 24 July 1920 and named on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Also named on individual memorial in Gordon Parish Church-WMO/267136

Submitted by:

Submitted date:

Submit a new link

Report this link

Edit information

Inscription:

CAPTAIN GEORGE STUART HENDERSON/V.C. D.S.O. AND BAR M.C./MANCHESTER REGIMENT/MOUNT HOOLEY JEDBURGH/5.12.1893-24.7.1920/AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS/{POSTHUMOUSLY) FOR CONSPICUOUS/BRAVERY AND SELF SACRIFICE DURING/THE BATTLE FOR HILLAH/(MESOPOTAMIA) ON THE 24TH JULY 1920

Suggest information

Listing grade:

Information Required

Listing URL:

Information Required

Unique listing reference number:

Information Required

Conservation area:

Information Required

Local list / Historic environment record:

Information Required

Claim Custodianship

Custodian name:

Information Required

Custodian website:

Information Required