James Gordon Henderson (Private)
- Veterans
- Date of Birth
- 13 June 1894
- Birthplace
- Metcalfe, Ontario
- Occupation and Residence on Enlistment
- Civil Service Clerk, Winnipeg
- Enlistment Date and Place
- 30 August 1915, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Service Number
- 540342
- Branch/Unit
- Attached to the 11th Canadian Light Trench Mortar Battery
- Awards, Badges, Decorations, and Medals
- Unknown. In 1921 Gordon’s father received a Memorial Scroll and Plaque (#767334). Gordon’s mother received a Memorial Cross (sent to Box 35, Metcalfe).
Son of Stevenson H. Henderson (26 March 1863 - 13 September 1948) and Elizabeth Matilda “Hattie” Campbell (5 September 1875 - 2 March 1924). Gordon enlisted in WInnipeg, Manitoba on 30 August 1915, listing his occupation as Civil Service Clerk. His religion was Wesleyan, his next of kin (his mother) was living in Vernon, Ontario, and his height five foot and a half inches, with grey eyes and light brown hair. At the time of enlistment, Gordon indicated that he had previously had some service with the 79th Camerons (Home Defense).
Notes on war service:
At the time of his death, he was serving with the 11th Canadian Light Trench Mortar Battery. Gordon failed to answer roll call on 18 November 1916 and as of 2 December 1916 was officially declared killed in action even though his remains were never located.
Killed in action?
Yes. 18 November 1916 (Battle of the Somme). Remains never located.
Burial location
Vimy Canadian Memorial, Vimy, France. Marker in Springhill Cemetery, Plot #2.N.14 (361W), Osgoode Township (with his parents).
Memorialization:
Gordon’s name appears on a “Roll of Honour” which hangs in Knox United Church in Edwards, as one who served and made the ultimate sacrifice. His name appears on the Township Cenotaph at Osgoode Township Hall, Metcalfe. Gordon’s name appears on page 186 of the Memorial Register 223, Part Three (F-H) of the Vimy Memorial, France. His name also appears on page 101 of Canada’s National Book of Remembrance (1916), Memorial Chapel, Peace Tower, Parliament Hill, Ottawa.
Information source(s):
- Campbell Family Story, page 53.
- From Swamp and Shanty: The History of Russell Village and the Western Part of Russell Township, 1827-1987, Page 154 (Runge Press, 1988)
- Township Cenotaph, Osgoode Township Hall, Metcalfe, Ontario
- Personnel Records of the First World War, Library and Archives Canada, RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4254-6 (PDF)
- “Roll of Honour”, Knox United Church, Edwards, Ontario
- Osgoode Township Historical Society and Museum Newsletter Vol. XXXII, No. 4 (December, 2005), page 4 (PDF)
- Commonwealth War Graves Commision, www.cwgc.org (Link)
- Books of Remembrance, Veterans Affairs of Canada, Page 101 from book: First World War (Link)
- Springhill Cemetery - A Genealogical Reference Research Tool, pages 225, 436, 453
- Veteran Memorials of Osgoode Township, pages 5, 14 (Link)
- The Register Of The Names of Soldiers of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada who fell in France during the Great War, whose graves are not known, and who are commemorated on the Vimy Memorial France - Part Five - M, Library and Archives Canada, RG24-C-6, Volume number: 23195 (Link)
- Births Presbyterian Church Metcalfe 1886 - 1927, page 3, entry number 50 (Link)
- Birth Record (index card) for S. Henderson. Osgoode Township Museum.