3081 Private
‘D’ Company, 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 97th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Division
Age: 25
Date of Death: 8.3.18
Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 141 to 143
Family history: Son of William and Agnes Henderson, 16 Chapel Buildings, Bonnybridge. He had three brothers, also serving, and three sisters. Prior to enlisting on 1 September 1914, he was employed as a moulder at the Iron foundry of Smith and Wellstood Ltd.
He was wounded on 1 August 1917, gun shot wound to the neck, and was sent to No.4 General Hospital at Dannes Camiers.
The action leading to his death
The Battalion was in the line in the north sector of the Salient at Houthulst Forest. The War Diary recorded that ‘… B,A,D Company’s in the outpost line and ‘C’ Company was in support’ At 3.55am the Germans launched a series of attacks on the outposts. Lieutenant Wallace of ’D’ Company attempted to fire the SOS for artillery support however, the flare failed to explode. They decided to mount a fighting withdrawal to the Veldhoek Post with 56 casualties they also gained touch with the Dorsets on their left. At 9.20am some 200 Germans were seen massing and moving with their light machine guns in Owl Wood. At this time 2nd Battalion KOYLI counterattacked and retook the Posts lost earlier despite German machine gun and sniping fire. With the recapture of the lost Posts a number of the enemy wounded were taken and the War Diary recorded their fate:
At Owls Wood about 200 Germans massed for an attack they were dispersed by fire from the forward Posts and from artillery support. During the morning the German shelled the main line posts and especially Mangelare Post and it was here that Captain Knowling M.C. was killed. After dark ‘C’ Company took over the line from 2nd Battalion KOYLI.
(Linesman Map)
Medals Awarded
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
