HENDERSON, Robert Hunter
| Service Number: | 10489 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Divisional Train |
| Born: | Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, 15 March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Sandgate, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Porter, QGR (Queensland Government Railways) |
| Died: | Coronary Occlusion (Heart attack), Sandgate, Brisbane, Queensland, 25 September 1967, aged 75 years |
| Cemetery: |
Albany Creek Memorial Park-Cemetery & Crematorium, Queensland St Margaret (Anglican) Memorial Garden Sangate, Queensland 58 Rainbow St, Sandgate QLD 4017 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 30 May 1916: | Embarked Corporal, 10489, 3rd Divisional Train, HMAT Persic, Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 May 1916: | Involvement Corporal, 10489, 3rd Divisional Train, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 30 May 1916: | Embarked Corporal, 10489, HMAT Persic, Sydney | |
| 30 May 1916: | Involvement Corporal, 10489, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Nov 1916: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 10489, 3rd Divisional Train, Served in France | |
| 27 Jul 1917: | Promoted Australian Army (Post WW2), Sergeant, 3rd Divisional Train | |
| 26 Sep 1919: | Discharged Australian Army (Post WW2), Sergeant, 10489, 3rd Divisional Train, Returned home on board "Thelmistocles" |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Tracey Sullivan
Robert Hunter Henderson was born 15 March 1892 in Ipswich, Queensland. His middle name "Hunter" is his maternal grandmother's maiden name.
His parents, James Henderson and Jane Ann Brown Henderson migrated to Australia from Scotland in 1886 on board the "Quetta". Robert was one of 8 children. He is the 2nd youngest with 3 older brothers, 2 older sisters, and 2 younger sisters. The family moved from Mackay to Ipswich finally settling in Maryborough.
Robert's father died of heart problems when he was 6. His mother re-married 2 years later and relocated the family to Sandgate in Brisbane in 1901.
From all accounts, he was a good looking man and well liked. He stood almost 5ft 8in tall with a fair complexion (Scottish heritage), grey eyes and dark hair.
Robert was working as Railway Porter when he married Scottish born Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ferguson Kane in 1913 at St Nicolas Church, Sandgate.
They had 2 boys, John Alexander Henderson born 1914 and Robert Hunter Jnr born 1916.
Robert joined the armed services on 13 October 1915 at the age of 23years and 6months.
One month after the birth of Robert Jnr, he left Australia for the war in France. Leaving from Syndey on board the "Persic" and traveling to France via Inda and England and leaving Lizzie to raise their 2 boys alone for 4 years.
Upon arrival in France, he was attached to the 23rd AASC 3rd Div. Train AIF as a driver. He was promoted to Corporal a few months later. 14 months later he was promoted to Sergeant. He was promoted one more time to CSM before returning to Australia in 1919 on medical grounds.
Robert was hospitalized many times during his posting in France, suffering from a varicocele. He left France on 12 June 1919 on board the "Themistocles" arriving back in Australia on 10 August 1919.
He was issued with the 1914/15 Star Medal, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
14 months later Robert and Lizzie welcomed another son, William Eric Henderson.
Robert returned to his job with Queensland Railways and he and his family transferred several times, including time in Brisbane, Maryborough and it's surrounding towns. After finally attaining the position of Station Master in 1949 they settled in Gargett (near Mackay, Central Queensland).
They stayed there until he retired from the Railway in 1958 and he and Lizzie moved back to Sandgate to enjoy retirement.
They lived in Sandgate surrounded by family until Robert passed away aged 75 in 1967 and Lizzie, who lived to be 102 years old, passed away in 1990.
Their son John Alexander Henderson died a war hero in Merjayun, Syria in 1941 aged 25.
William Eric also served in the military during WW2 then became a teacher. He passed away in 2005 aged 85.
Robert Hunter Jnr had a successful boot repair business until his death in 1975 at age 59 from a heart attack.
Thank you Robert Hunter Henderson for serving. Lest We Forget.
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