Farrier-Sergeant John Edward Henderson
Number: 9592
Company: 54th (Belfast) Company, 13th Battalion, First Contingent
ENLISTMENT
Date: 23 January 1900
Place: Belfast
Age: 27 years stated on enlistment. (Born 18 August 1870, 9 Pilot's Row, Londonderry.)
Trade or calling: Farrier
Place of birth: In the Parish of __, in or near the Town of Londonderry, in the County of Londonderry
Address: 17 William Street, Londonderry
Family: Widower. Father Samuel Henderson, blacksmith, of 5 Chamberlain Street, Londonderry. Mother Catherine Henderson (nee Cowan) (dec. 1870). He had married Sarah Barr in the Londonderry Methodist Church on 3 April 1897. They had two children - Katherine and Samuel, before Sarah's death on 9 May 1899.
Previous military service: No
Description: Height 5' 7 3/4". Complexion pale/ fair, eyes grey/ blue, hair black/ brown. Scar left knee.
Religion: Other Protestant (family recorded as Methodist in 1901 Census)
ACTIVE SERVICE
Date to South Africa: 13 February 1900 [sic]
Date home: 20 April 1901
Actions: Lindley
Service medal, clasps and other awards: Queen's South Africa Medal. Cape Colony, Orange Free State, 1901 clasps.
DISCHARGE
Date: 31 May 1901
Place: Shorncliffe
Reason for discharge: At his own request
Intended place of residence: 5 Chamberlain Street, Londonderry
Conduct: Very good
Special qualifications: Farrier
Henderson was among the 400 men of the 13th Battalion captured by Boer forces at Lindley on 31 May 1900. His name appeared on a list of those of the Battalion being held prisoner at Nooitdegacht, published by the War Office on 21 August. Most of these were released on 30 August when the British captured Nooitgedacht. Although Henderson's name was not on the list of those released at the time, he must have been freed soon after.
He was mentioned in letters home by Lance Corporal Ben Johnston, and Farrier John Henderson.
At the time of the 1911 Census he was living as a boarder at a lodging house at 16 Rossville Street, Londonderry, and working as a blacksmith.
This page last updated 18 November 2025.