HENDERSON, DAVID, Captain and Brevet
Lieutenant Colonel, was born 11 August 1862, son of David Henderson, of
Glasgow. He joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, as Lieutenant, 25
August 1883; became Captain 26 February 1890. He was Staff Captain
(Intelligence), Headquarters of Army, 1 December 1897 to 12 July 1898. He
served with the Sudan Expeditionary Force, as ADC to the Brigadier General
commanding the 2nd Brigade, British Division, 13 July to 8 October 1898, and
was present at the Battle of Khartoum. He was mentioned in Despatches
[London Gazette, 30 September 1898]; was given the Brevet of Major 16
November 1898, and the British and Khedive's Medals, with clasp. He was
Staff Captain (Intelligence), Headquarters of Army, 18 October 1898 to 31
March 1899; DAQMG, Headquarters of Army, 1 April to 30 June 1899; DAAG,
Natal, 1 July 1899 to 27 October 1900. In the South African War he took
part in operations in Natal, 1899, including the actions at Reitfontein and
Lombard's Kop; the defence of Ladysmith (temporarily in charge of the Field
Intelligence Department), including sorties of 7 December 1899 (wounded) and
the action of 6 January 1900. He was present in operations in Natal, March
to June 1900, including the action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations
in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including
actions at Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenberg (5 to 8 Sept);
operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900, to 31 May 1902. For his
services in the Boer War he was mentioned in Despatches (Sir G White, 2
December 1899, and 23 March, 1900; Sir Redvers Buller, 19 June and 9
November 1900) [London Gazettes, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902];
received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with two
clasps, and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 29 November 1900, and
created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31
October 1902]: "David Henderson, Captain and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel,
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In recognition of services during the
operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were sent to the GOC,
Transvaal, and presented by the GOC, South Africa, 25 March 1903. He became
Major 12 December 1903. Major Henderson was employed under the Civil
Government in the Transvaal 20 September 1902 to 30 April 1903; was DAQMG,
1st Army Corps, and DAQMG, Aldershot Army Corps, 3 March 1904 to 21 November
1905; was given the Brevet of Colonel 22 November 1905; was AAG, 1st
Division, Aldershot Army Corps, 22 November 1905 to 31st December 1906; was
GSO, 1st Grade, Aldershot Command, 1 January to 20 December 1907; became
Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1907, and Colonel 27 November 1907; was Staff
Officer (Brigadier General, General Staff) to the Inspector-General of the
Home Forces 21 December 1907 to 29 February 1912; Temporary Brigadier
General 4 April 1908 to 25 October 1914; Staff Officer to the
Inspector-General of the Home Forces 1 March to 30 June 1912; Director of
Military Training, War Office, 1 July 1912 to 31 August 1913;
Director-General of Military Aeronautics, 1 September 1913 to 4 August
1914. When the European War broke out he became Commander of the Royal
Flying Corps, and held this position until 17 October 1917. He was promoted
Major General 26 October 1914, for distinguished service in the Field; was
Commanding Officer of the 1st Division, BEF, 21 and 22 November and 20
December 1914; was created a KCB in 1914; was GOC, Royal Flying Corps,
British Expeditionary Force, 21 December 1914 to 17 October 1917;
Director-General of Military Aeronautics 22 February 1916 to 17 October
1917; promoted Lieutenant General 1 January 1917; Area Commandant, British
Armies in France, 10 August to 6 October 1918; Military Counsellor, Paris, 7
October 1918. He was made a KCVO in 1919; Commander of the Legion of
Honour, 1915, and Grand Officer, 1919; was Grand Officer of the Order of the
Crown of Belgium, and had the Orders Grand Crown of the Sacred Treasure of
Japan, and of the White Eagle of Russia; was Grand Officer of the Order of
the Crown of Italy. He was the author of 'The Art of Reconnaissance'.
Lieutenant General Sir David Henderson married, in 1899, Henrietta Caroline,
daughter of Henry R Dundas.
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