"In 1914 a war had to be fought. A popular young teacher, Dick Henderson, enlisted in the Medical Corps, and quietly earned immortality with his donkey at the hell of Gallipoli. " (section 1910's- and a crisis in Three Kings School, Centennial 1878-1978.
Replaced John Simpson Kirkpatrick (dod May 19 1915) and inherited the donkey Murphy and transports injured soldiers at Gallipoli
Served in Egyptian areana, then England and France
Gassed at Passchendaele and invalided home to New Zealand
His eyesight deteriorated badly, as a result of the mustard gas exposure and he retired at age 41
No Form B103 on file; few details available.
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front
Embarked Wellington, 10 October 1914.
Found guilty, Mudros, 17 July 1915, of taking a boat belonging to No 1 Australian Stationary Hospital from its moorings without permission: awarded 72 hours' detention.
Received pay as Cook, 18 August 1915; relieved of appointment as Cook, Ismailia, 19 February 1916.
Awarded Military Medal for gallantry in the field, 15 November 1916.
Rejoined No 2 NZ Field Ambulance, 1 December 1916.
Appointed Lance Corporal, 14 December 1916.
On Command to No 3 NZ General Hospital, Codford, England, 21 February 1917.
Promoted Corporal, 28 March 1917.
Proceeded overseas to France, 28 May 1917.
Wounded in action, 12 October 1917 (gas); admitted to 59th General Hospital, St Omer, 14 October 1917; still listed as 'dangerously ill, 22 October 1917; transferred to England (no date available), and admitted to Lewisham Military Hospital, 6 November 1917 (gassed: severe); removed from 'dangerously ill' list, 7 November 1917. Transferred to No 2 NZ General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, 17 November 1917.
Commenced return to New Zealand from Liverpool on board SS 'Maunganui', 2 February 1918; discharged (no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in action; gas poisoning), 21 May 1918.
Total war service: 3 years 285 days (of which 3 years 151 days were abroad).
Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal AWMM