Charles Leonard Henderson

Charles was born in Halam, Nottinghamshire and was the son of George and Hannah Henderson In the 1901 census the family lived at 57 Arnold Road Old, Basford, Notingham and were shown as George Henderson, head, 44; Hannah, wife, 45, Mabel J, daur, 20; John S, son 19; Charles L, son, 16 printers compositor apprentice; In the 1911 census they are still at the same address, 57 Arnold Road' Old Basford and again shown as,George Henderson, head, 54; Hannah, wife, 55; Chas Leonard, son, 26, Lace Hand tying up before bleaching; Soldiers effects Register 4/5063 Pte C L Henderson - shows all to father George J - 29/11/1915 - £6-6s-11d 30/07/1919 - £3 war gratuity. On 15 May 1919 - army form 5080 relatives form sent - Although his father only added himself and wife - giving no other siblings or family. His personal effects form which was sent to his father listed nothing. It is possible that his pals had already sent them home.

1901 - Printers Compositor apprentice 1911 - Lace hand tying up before bleaching 1914 - Lace Hand

5063 Private Charles Leonard Henderson was a timed served special reservist prior to World War 1. He re-enlisted in the 4th Special Reserve battalion on 24 August 1914 for a period of four years. Charles was 30 years 1 month, 5 feet 7 inches, Church of England, Blued eyed and had light brown hair. He also had an interesting tattoo on his arm, that of Buffalo Bill. Charles was sent to 4th Extra Reserve based in Sunderland. On 14 November, he was appointed paid Corporal and on 8 December, deprived of same. On 27 December 1914 Charles was posted to 1st battalion in France, On 26 January 1915 Charles had frostbite and spent two days being treated prior to being discharged to duty. The conditions during the winter of 1914/15 were atrocious and many men succumbed to trench foot and frostbite. The Battle of Neuve Chapelle began on 10th March 1915 and the battalion had taken ground and consolidated. At 10 am on 11th, 'C' Company advanced through an orchard situated on the left of the line and occupied some derelict houses. The battalion was shelled throughout the day by the enemy. At 4 pm, 'D' Company charged the enemy breastworks but suffered heavy losses from machine gun fire and retired. At some point Charles was one of 63 men killed that day. He like the majority have no known grave and are commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. Charles had survived exactly 200 days from enlistment.

Soldiers Died in the Great War - Henderson C L, born Hallam Notts, enlisted Nottingham, abode, Old Basford Nottingham, 5063, Private, killed in action, France and Flanders, 11/03/1915 In memoriam published 10th March 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HENDERSON. - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Chas. Leonard Henderson, killed in action, Neuve Chapelle, March, 1915. - Father, mother, Mabel, Clara.” In memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.