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Leeston and Ellesmere County War Memorial

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Private William Charles Henderson

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TitlePrivate William Charles HendersonSummaryA soldier in World War One.DescriptionWilliam was born 7 August 1893 at Courtenay, only son of William and Mary Henderson later of Irwell. He was educated at the local school and afterwards at Southbridge District High School. He was a member of the Irwell Football Club and a very fine forward. Before enlisting he was working as a farm labourer for Mr R McMillan at Irwell. He was 5 foot 4 ¾ inches tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.

William enlisted 2 May 1916 and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry, 17th Reinforcements. He embarked 23rd September 1916 on board the Pakeha bound for Devonport, disembarking on 18 November. He marched into Sling the same day, leaving for France with the Reserve group three weeks later. He was attached to the Base Depot at Etaples on 10th December 1916. After Christmas on 7 January he joined the 2nd Battalion in the field and was killed in action four months later on 20th May 1917 aged 23. He was buried in the Kandahar Farm Cemetery, Belgium. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Irwell Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial.

Kandahar Farm was near the village of Wulverghem (now Wulvergem) and for much of the war, the Front Line ran a little east of the village. The cemetery was used by Commonwealth divisions holding this sector from November 1914 to April 1918, when it fell into German hands with the capture of Wulverghem and Neuve-eglise (now nieuwkerke). The two villages were recovered in early September and the cemetery was used again. there are now 443 Commonwealth burials of the First World war in the cemetery.First NameWilliam CharlesLast NameHendersonFamilySingleSon of William and Mary HendersonDate of Birth7 August 1893Place of BirthCourtenayDate of Death20 May 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death23

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePlaceIrwell Last edited by: Sarah Davy

ImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryKandahar Farm CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarm Labourer Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details2nd May 1916Service Number21680Embarkation23rd September 1916TransportPakehaReinforcement17th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private William Charles Henderson