HENDERSON, Frank Stanley (Army 3325)

Studio portrait of PTE HENDERSON taken in early December 1917 prior to embarkation overseas; the photographer was Charles H. Bliss of Ocean Street, Victor Harbor. All the photos show here are from the Millie SMITH (nee HENDERSON) collection.
Studio portrait of PTE HENDERSON taken in early December 1917 prior to embarkation overseas; the photographer was Charles H. Bliss of Ocean Street, Victor Harbor. All the photos show here are from the Millie SMITH (nee HENDERSON) collection.

3325 Private Frank Stanley HENDERSON

Frank Stanley HENDERSON was born on 28 February 1897, the eldest son of George Henderson and Martha HENDERSON (nee PEARCE) of ‘Riverside’, Victor Harbor. He was educated at the local public school and during his senior years he joined the Victor Harbor cadet unit.

In 1914 at age 17, he enlisted in the militia forces and was posted to the 22nd Light Horse Regiment. Trooper HENDERSON was initially stationed at Torrens Island where a detachment of the unit was detailed to guard the German civilian internees.

Trooper HENDERSON was eager to serve overseas and on 23 November 1917, age 20 years 9 months he enlisted in the AIF. Frank overstated his age by one year, as soldiers under the age of 21 require written parental consent to serve overseas. After his basic training he was posted to 8th Reinforcements, 43rd Battalion. PTE HENDERSON and 150 other soldiers of the reinforcement unit embarked from Port Melbourne on 6 March 1918 on the RMS Ormonde. His pay was five shillings a day of which four shillings was remitted home. A further shilling a day was paid for each day served overseas, this being deferred until his return to Australia.

The Ormonde moored at Port Suez on 4 April following an outbreak of measles onboard ship. All crew and troops were evacuated to the Segregation Camp at Suez and placed in isolation. PTE HENDERSON and his fellow soldiers were later discharged to a transit unit until 30 April 1918 and embarked from Port Tewfik on the ship T15.

The T15 arrived at Southampton, England on 15 May 1918 and the troops entrained to the sprawling Australian base near Fovant, on the Salisbury Plains for further training. Three weeks later PTE HENDERSON and his fellow soldiers were transferred to the 50th Battalion. He would remain in England until 15 August when the reinforcements sailed for Havre, France. Held in transit for five days, the soldiers then entrained to Amiens and marched to the 50th Battalion’s lines near Lihons, a commune twenty miles east of Amiens. The 50th Battalion, part of the 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division, was at the time held in reserve. His first few days were marked with heavy enemy shelling of the Battalion area, it was his first experience at the front.

In early September, the Battalion made several moves; to near Biaches on the Somme River; to Cartigny and then to Beaumetz. During the night enemy aircraft bombed the camp but no damage was reported. On 10 September, the Battalion took over the front line between Vendelles and Soyecourt to relieve the 29th Battalion on the outskirts of Flechin. On 13 September, the Battalion drove the enemy back 500-700 yards on a front of about one mile wide and captured eight machine guns and 40 prisoners.

The Battalion’s last major operation of the war was an attack on the Hindenburg “outpost line” in the Peronne area on 18 September. The casualties suffered for September 1918 were 10 soldiers killed, 71 wounded, one missing and four wounded who were captured by the enemy.

PTE HENDERSON returned to Australia on the HT Exeter, embarking on 12 July 1919, disembarking on 21 August; he was demobilised on 14 September 1919. Frank was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He married Eva May MARTIN in 1921 and there were eight children of the marriage.

Frank worked for the Post Master General’s Department (later to become Australia Post and Telstra) and retired in 1957. Frank HENDERSON died on 15 June 1989, aged 92. He is buried in the Victor Harbor Cemetery.

Black and white photograph printed postcard style taken at Torrens Island circa 1915 by Trooper Frank Henderson. This iage shows a number of the 330 prisoners, all German-Australian internees at the camp.
Black and white photograph printed postcard style taken at Torrens Island circa 1915 by Trooper Frank Henderson. This iage shows a number of the 330 prisoners, all German-Australian internees at the camp.
Article published in The (Victor Harbor) Times, Thursday 19 April 2001, it shows a group of cadets, which include Frank Stanley Henderson. A number of the other cadets later served in the AIF overseas during World War One.
Article published in The (Victor Harbor) Times, Thursday 19 April 2001, it shows a group of cadets, which include Frank Stanley Henderson. A number of the other cadets later served in the AIF overseas during World War One.
Black and white photograph printed postcard style taken at Torrens Island circa 1915 by Trooper Frank HENDERSON. This image shows a group of soldiers from the 22nd Light Horse Regiment standing behind three internees. Note the man on the right behind the sign, which reads: “Don’t waste water”.
Black and white photograph printed postcard style taken at Torrens Island circa 1915 by Trooper Frank HENDERSON. This image shows a group of soldiers from the 22nd Light Horse Regiment standing behind three internees. Note the man on the right behind the sign, which reads: “Don’t waste water”.
Photograph printed postcard style, the date taken and the photographer are unknown. Pictured are back row: Trooper ‘Rattler’ JONES (left), Trooper Frank Henderson (right); front row Trooper ‘Spider’ Harding (left), Trooper Tom Kenny (right).
Photograph printed postcard style, the date taken and the photographer are unknown. Pictured are back row: Trooper ‘Rattler’ JONES (left), Trooper Frank Henderson (right); front row Trooper ‘Spider’ Harding (left), Trooper Tom Kenny (right).

 

Studio portrait of PTE Frank Stanley Henderson, believed to be taken in 1916. The photographer is unknown.
Studio portrait of PTE Frank Stanley Henderson, believed to be taken in 1916. The photographer is unknown.

 

Studio portrait of PTE Frank Henderson (left) and PTE Jim Campbell (right). The photographer is unknown. It was most likely taken in France after September 1918 as PTE Campbell arrived at the 50th Battalion on 26 September 1918 and met PTE Henderson there. Although their service records indicate they would have been in England together, the background sheet in this photograph appears to be in makeshift studio somewhere near the front, whereas a studio in England would be more elaborate.
Studio portrait of PTE Frank Henderson (left) and PTE Jim Campbell (right). The photographer is unknown. It was most likely taken in France after September 1918 as PTE Campbell arrived at the 50th Battalion on 26 September 1918 and met PTE Henderson there. Although their service records indicate they would have been in England together, the background sheet in this photograph appears to be in makeshift studio somewhere near the front, whereas a studio in England would be more elaborate.

 

Photograph printed postcard style, the date taken and the photographer are unknown. Jim CAmpbell of Bordertown, a friend of Frank’s, is standing on the right whilst Frank Henderson is sitting at the front, left. 51874 PTE James William Gordon Campbell enlisted in the AIF on 4 March 1918, age 19. His enlistment form indicates he had no prior militia service. Frank enlisted on 23 November 1917 and embarked overseas from Melbourne on 7 March 1918. This would indicate the photograph was taken in March 1918.
Photograph printed postcard style, the date taken and the photographer are unknown. Jim CAmpbell of Bordertown, a friend of Frank’s, is standing on the right whilst Frank Henderson is sitting at the front, left. 51874 PTE James William Gordon Campbell enlisted in the AIF on 4 March 1918, age 19. His enlistment form indicates he had no prior militia service. Frank enlisted on 23 November 1917 and embarked overseas from Melbourne on 7 March 1918. This would indicate the photograph was taken in March 1918.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Informal portrait printed postcard style of four soldiers in England, taken on 19 June 1918. The photographer is unknown. PTE Frank Henderson is sitting on the right. Frank had mailed it to his parents, the message read “My Dear Mother and Father, I am quite well. I got a letter today. So love to from Frank”.
Informal portrait printed postcard style of four soldiers in England, taken on 19 June 1918. The photographer is unknown. PTE Frank Henderson is sitting on the right. Frank had mailed it to his parents, the message read “My Dear Mother and Father, I am quite well. I got a letter today. So love to from Frank”.
Photograph printed postcard style of Frank taken in England in 1918. The location is most likely the Australian Base near Codford, Wiltshire on the Salisbury Plains. Frank arrived in England on 15 May 1918 and embarked for France on 15 August 1918.
Photograph printed postcard style of Frank taken in England in 1918. The location is most likely the Australian Base near Codford, Wiltshire on the Salisbury Plains. Frank arrived in England on 15 May 1918 and embarked for France on 15 August 1918.
This photograph was taken by PTE Frank Henderson whilst sightseeing in Ireland, circa June 1918. The only person identified is 3266 PTE William Augustus (Gus) AMOR of the 43rd Battalion (8th Reinforcements), second from left. The three other soldiers in slouch hats are Australians whilst the soldier on the right appears to be an American.
This photograph was taken by PTE Frank Henderson whilst sightseeing in Ireland, circa June 1918. The only person identified is 3266 PTE William Augustus (Gus) AMOR of the 43rd Battalion (8th Reinforcements), second from left. The three other soldiers in slouch hats are Australians whilst the soldier on the right appears to be an American.
Certificate presented by the Corporation of Victor Harbor and the District of Encounter Bay to PTE F.S. Henderson on his return to Victor Harbor. The original certificate is held by Frank’s son, Roy.
Certificate presented by the Corporation of Victor Harbor and the District of Encounter Bay to PTE F.S. Henderson on his return to Victor Harbor. The original certificate is held by Frank’s son, Roy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Victor Harbor World War One veterans pictured at a dinner held on 24 April 1970 at the RSL Clubrooms, Flinders Parade, Victor Harbor celebrating ANZAC Day.  From left: Frank Henderson (50th Battalion, Australian Infantry), Darcy Honeyman (50th Battalion), Len Reid MC (13th Light Horse Regiment), Sydney Grosvenor (10th Battalion, Australian Infantry) and Len Muller (5th Divisional Signal Company). This black and white photograph was taken by Frank Berg of Studio 64, Victor Harbor (negative no. 33458) and was supplied by Frank Henderson’s daughter, Mrs. Millie SMITH of Victor Harbor.
Five Victor Harbor World War One veterans pictured at a dinner held on 24 April 1970 at the RSL Clubrooms, Flinders Parade, Victor Harbor celebrating ANZAC Day.  From left: Frank Henderson (50th Battalion, Australian Infantry), Darcy Honeyman (50th Battalion), Len Reid MC (13th Light Horse Regiment), Sydney Grosvenor (10th Battalion, Australian Infantry) and Len Muller (5th Divisional Signal Company). This black and white photograph was taken by Frank Berg of Studio 64, Victor Harbor (negative no. 33458) and was supplied by Frank Henderson’s daughter, Mrs. Millie SMITH of Victor Harbor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

Service file of 3325 Frank Stanley HENDERSON downloaded from the National Archives of Australia ( www.naa.gov.au ).

War Diary of the 50th Infantry Battalion, from the Australian War Memorial ( www.awm.gov.au ).

 

 

Compiled by the RSL Victor Harbor Sub-branch History Research Team, June 2009.