Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Guy Hallam Henderson was the fifth son of Arthur Chillas and Clara Jane (née Hallam) Henderson. He was born on 13 October 1887 at Invercargill. Scottish-born Arthur married his English-born wife married in 1867 in London. Two sons were born at Wanganui, New Zealand in 1871 and 1872, the first-born dying there in 1872. By 1873 Arthur and Clara were in Invercargill where five more sons and eight daughters were born. Guy was educated at Invercargill South School and Southland Boys’ High School (1901-1903).

Guy Henderson married Frances Helen Hyder Foster (known as Ivy) on 1 June 1910 at Christchurch. The first of their four daughters, Frances Joan Henderson (Joan), was born on 27 December 1911 at Gore; the second, Nancy Russell Henderson, was born on 21 June 1915 at Timaru. Guy, a grain salesman, and Frances had moved from Christchurch to Timaru by 1914, having previously moved to Gore from Christchurch in 1911. His address when he enlisted was 20 Cameron Street, Timaru. He named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs Frances H. H. Henderson, 28 Tonbridge Street, Merivale, Christchurch. Second Lieutenant G. H. Henderson embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 25th Reinforcements, leaving for Plymouth, Devon per the “Turakina” on 26 April 1917. Discharged on 18 April 1919, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

In the 1920s the family moved to Wanganui where two more daughter were born – Audrey Isobel in 1922 and Barbara Helen in 1925. Then in 1928 tragedy struck. Guy Hallam Henderson died on 30 March 1928 at a private hospital at Wanganui, the result of an accident on 10 March. He was just 40 years old and left a widow and four young girls. The funeral left his residence for Aramoho Cemetery, Wanganui. “The news of the death of Mr Guy Henderson, of 18 Godwin Crescent, was received with deep regret yesterday, when he passed away after severe injuries and shock sustained recently as the result of a motor accident. The deceased, motoring with a friend, had got out of the car and was directing the driver, who had knocked into another car in the act of parking. Mr Henderson, standing in front of the car, while it was being moved, was caught and jammed against a fence, severe injuries being inflicted to both legs. A previous accident when driving his own car had caused a severe shock to Mr Henderson, and the second mishap, with the terrible injuries to his legs, imposed a severe strain on his nervous system. Since the accident he had made a partial recovery, and he seemed to be making fair progress, but yesterday morning alarming symptoms were noticed, and he died at 10.30 o’clock. Mr Henderson’s death will be deeply regretted by members of the Wanganui Bowling Club, of which he was a highly esteemed member. He leaves a widow and several children.” [Wanganui Chronicle. 31 March 1928.]

After Guy’s death, Frances moved back to her hometown – Christchurch. She died there on 22 March 1964 and was cremated at the Canterbury Crematorium. Guy’s father, a barrister and solicitor, died at his Invercargill residence, on 27 June 1903, and his mother died at Christchurch on 17 September 1930. Guy’s brother Alan Justin Henderson served in World War One, also enlisting while he was resident in Timaru. Three other brothers were listed on the Reserve Rolls – Arthur Silverthorne Henderson, a bank officer at Greytown; Ernest Hallam Henderson at Lyttelton; and Geoffrey Chillas Henderson at Invercargill.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [28 May 2024]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [28 May 2024]; Aramoho Cemetery records [28 May 2024]; School records [28 May 2024]; Southland Times, 29 June 1903, Press, 31 March 1928, 23 & 24 March 1964, Wanganui Chronicle, 31 March 1928 [x 2], 4 April 1928, Southland Times, 3 April 1928 (Papers Past) [28 May 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.