World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
James Henry Henderson, MSM
Forename(s):
James Henry
Surname:
Henderson, MSM
Initial(s):
J H
Service Number:
12906
Rank:
Lance-Corporal
Regiment:
Foot Guards, Coldstream Guards, 3rd Battalion attached to GHQ, 1st Echelon
Died:
09/10/1918
Aged:
27
Buried:
Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy
Service History:
Enlisted at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.
Died, France & Flanders theatre of operations.
The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) was first awarded in 1847, to reward specially selected long-service Non-Commissioned Officers, but in 1916 it was decided to award this medal to Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers & Men, irrespective of rank, without annuity, as a reward for valuable & meritorious service, not necessarily in action with the enemy, i.e., for standing there & taking it!. All these awards, made until 1928, were promulgated in the 'London Gazette'.
Henderson was one of 221 names gazetted on 1 January 1919, in his case posthumously, in recognition of valuable services with the British Forces in Italy (pages 68-71).
(Source: 'The Meritorious Service Medal: The Immediate Awards, 1916-1928' by Ian McInnes (1992; The Naval & Military Press in association with Liverpool Medal Co. Ltd.; page 191)
Background:
Born at Beadnell, Northumberland.
Local Memorial:
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Angel Statue outside St. Mary's Parish Church
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Memorial Panels in Holy Trinity Church
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Memorial Members Plaque in Magdalene Fields Golf Club
(Source: newmp.org.uk)