Wilfred Henderson

Vice-Admiral Wilfred Henderson (10 February, 1873 – 14 August, 1930) served in the Royal Navy. His first name is less commonly offered as "Wilfrid".

Life & Career

Born in Leghorn, Italy, Henderson could speak French, German and Italian.

Henderson placed highest of fifty-six cadet candidates for entry into H.M.S. Britannia for the July 1886 intake term, scoring 1,529 marks on his examination. He gained twelve months time on passing out of Britannia in July of 1888.

Henderson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on January, 1893. He was awarded the Ryder Memorial Prize for 1893 for placing highest in the examination in French at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. He was also awarded the Goodenough Medal for 1893 for being the Sub-Lieutenant who achieved the highest gunnery examination for the given year and who also achieved a first-class certificate in seamanship.

Henderson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1903.

Henderson was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1909.

Henderson was appointed in command of the scout cruiser Blanche and of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla on 1 May, 1912.

Great War

Henderson was serving as Royal Naval Attaché to Germany when war broke out. He was appointed in command of the 1,500-strong First Royal Naval Brigade, tasked with trying to help defend Antwerp.

Things went poorly, of course and the Brigade was cut off. Rather than surrender to the Germans and become prisoners of war, Henderson took his men over the border into Holland where they were interned for the duration in accordance with international law. Henderson was instructed not to attempt escape.

Post-War

In January, 1920, Henderson applied for reparation for the loss of career that resulted from his internment and an Admiralty order to him that he should not attempt escape from internment. He was informed that a statement in Parliament and his being placed on General Service Pension was all that the Admiralty could do to inoculate him from possible stigma.

Henderson was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 29 July, 1920 and was placed on the Retired List the following day.

Henderson was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 24 November, 1925.

See Also

• Service Records
• His report on internment
• Online account of internment by Menno Wielinga

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Rowland H. Bather	Captain of H.M.S. Recruit 21 Jul, 1903	Succeeded by George J. Todd
Preceded by Walter H. Cowan	Captain of H.M.S. Itchen 14 Jul, 1904 – 20 Oct, 1904	Succeeded by Claude Seymour
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Patrol 1 Sep, 1905 – 6 Nov, 1907	Succeeded by Cyril T. M. Fuller
Preceded by Guy M. Marston	Captain of H.M.S. Blanche 1 May, 1912 – 5 Jul, 1913	Succeeded by Richard Hyde
Preceded by Mortimer L'E. Silver	Captain (D), Fourth Destroyer Flotilla 1 May, 1912 – 5 Jul, 1913	Succeeded by Raymond A. Nugent
Preceded by Hugh D. R. Watson	Royal Navy Naval Attaché to Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands 15 Oct, 1913 – 20 Aug, 1914	Succeeded by Geoffrey S. F. Nash
Preceded by Harry M. K. Betty	Captain of H.M.S. Assistance 1 Apr, 1919	Succeeded by Thomas J. S. Lyne