Frank Henderson

[cwb]

Hello, I am trying to find any details on Frank Henderson, who I know was working for S & J Watts when he signed up for the Manchester Regiment.  He suffered a head wound in March 1916, returned, but suffered frostbite so was transferred to a service regiment as a PT instructor as he was no longer able to operate a gun.  As far as I know the PT role was at Aldershot but with the Navy.  I have no service number.  Frank survived, but his brothers Victor, Ernest and Cecil Bertram were all killed.  They lived in Old Trafford and are commemorated on the Stretford Cenotaph.  Any suggestions gratefully received.  Thanks, Caroline.

[charlie]

Welcome to the forum Caroline.

Frank Henderson enlisted in the 16th Bn on 01.09.1914 and was given the number 6625. He was wounded on 03.05.1916. He also served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the Bedfordshire Regiment.
You are fortunate, his service records have survived and can be viewed on Ancestry and Find My Past.
Charlie

[cwb]

Hello Charlie, thanks for your prompt reply.  I had looked at this one several times but wasn't sure it was him from the details my mum had given me (Frank's daughter). 

I didn't know about the Welsh Fusiliers!

Regards, Caroline.

[cwb]

Hello again, I have now found Frank Henderson on a photo of the 19th Battalion within the photo project.  I'd like to print this for my mum but do you know if there are any higher resolution/original photos?

Many thanks for your help.

PS.  Is there any update on the museum?

[cwb]

Hello, I now have a personal photo of Frank Henderson.  It looks to me as though he would be a Corporal, but the service numbers 6625 and 240926 (Beds) show as Private. 

The photo is a post card, photographer C Ireland, 35 Lower Mosley St, Manchester.

Thanks, Caroline.

[mack]

hiya caroline
his correct name was john,francis Henderson
born 14th may 1892
died at the royal infirmary 3rd sept 1954
resided 6 princess ave,cheadle,cheshire

brothers.
31071 victor Henderson
born 13-10-95
19th manchesters
wounded 1-7-16
worked as clerk for joseph pike,corn miller
died of wounds at st Thomas hospital London,from shrapnel wound that fractured his femur
theres a mention in the Manchester evening news on 26-7-16 and another mentioning him and his two brothers on 15-7-16

L/cpl 252709 ernest Henderson
2/5th manchesters
born 28-9-96
killed in action 21-3-18
worked for messrs Charles seiman

30014 cecil bertram henderson
born 10-9-1900
2nd black watch
accidentally killed at cologne in the army of occupation 2-4-1920
victor and ernest are both mentioned on the seymour park school memorial and st.johns church,old trafford

mack

[cwb]

Hello Mack, thanks for this (do you ever sleep)?
John Francis (Frank) was my grandfather, though he died before I was born.  Victor, Ernest and Cecil Bertram are also on the main Stretford Cenotaph.  I have little information on any of them as when their father remarried in about 1914 he destroyed most of the family photos etc.  Frank never spoke about his experiences though he couldn't stand noise and had a slight twitch in one eye which was assumed to be the result of shellshock.  I (and my mother) were wondering why he is noted as a private when from the photo he would be a corporal.  I would like the full service history so I guess the best place is Central Library or Ashton.  Of the family only the youngest brother, Ron, survived unscathed.  No-one understood why Cecil Bertram signed up, Ron's assessment was 'cheap cigarettes'.

Much appreciated, Caroline.

[mack]

hiya caroline
theres nothing at ashton,the museum is closed,check central library,they hold all the M.E.N papers.check the dates that I have posted,there may even be photos of the boys.


with regards to cecil,he wouldn't have had any choice about enlisting,men were needed as occupation troops in germany to replace those soldiers who were being demobilised


franks head wound was a scalp wound by a rifle bullet[probably a sniper]


mack

[mack]

hiya caroline
the photo of frank was taken between 28-9-1918 and 13-12-18,he was with the 5th bedfordshire regt at the time,he was a acting corporal from 28-9-18 till 18-11-18,then he was made a full corporal on 18-11-18 till 13-12-18 when he reverted back to a private

mack

[charlie]

Caroline,
Conscription did not end till mid 1919 so as Mack said he didn't have any choice.

Charlie

[cwb]

Hi, thank you both - for your extensive knowledge and speed of reply.   I'm getting a better picture of the wartime family experience.  Regards, Caroline.