Jackson Robinson Henderson was the youngest son of John and Ruth Henderson. He was born in Killyman, Dungannon on 11th December 1895. His father died when he was five. His mother was the postmaster of Tamnamore Post Office. Lance Corporal Jackson Henderson was serving with the 140th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) when he died in the Somme region on 16th September 1916, aged 20.
Further Information
Jackson Robinson Henderson was the youngest son of John and Ruth Henderson. John Henderson and Ruth Robinson were married on 14th January 1887 in ther district of Dungannon.
Jackson was born in Killyman, Dungannon on 11th December 1895. He was the youngest of six children, all born in the Coalisland area.
Known family: John Henderson, Ruth Henderson, David Henderson (born 15th October 1887), William Henderson (born 16th May 1889), Robert Clarke Henderson (born 14th March 1891), James L Clements Henderson (born 14th January 1893), John Howard Henderson (born 20th September 1894), Jackson Robinson Henderson (born 11th December 1895).
Jackson’s father, John Henderson, died on 30th December 1900 in the Coalisland area, aged 40. Jackson was five years old.
The 1901 census records Jackson as four years old. His mother was a shopkeeper and farmer. The family lived in Tamlaghtmore, Drumaspil, Tyrone.
The 1911 census shows Jackson Robinson Henderson as still at school. He was 15 years old. His mother was now Postmaster and farmer. The family still lived in Tamlaghtmore, Drumaspil, Tyrone
Jackson was a member of Tamnamore L.O.L. 153, the Apprentice Boys of Derry and Portadown Club. He was also a section leader of Tamnamore U.V.F.
His mother, Ruth Henderson, was the postmaster of Tamnamore Post Office.
Jackson Henderson enlisted in Dungannon in May 1915.
1916
Private Jackson Henderson served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Dublin during the rebellion. Afterwards he was transferred to the 140th Company of the Machine Gun Corps.
Lance Corporal Jackson Henderson was serving with the 140th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) when was killed in action 'while gallantly carrying out his duty under heavy artillery and rifle fire'. He died instantaneously in the Somme region on 16th September 1916, aged 20.
In June 1916, the road out of Mailly-Maillet to Serre and Puisieux entered No Man's Land about 1,300 metres south-west of Serre. On 1 July 1916, the 31st and 4th Divisions attacked north and south of this road and although parties of the 31st Division reached Serre, the attack failed. The 3rd and 31st Divisions attacked once more on the 13 November, but again without success.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 5 October 1916:
The postmistress of Tamnamore, Mrs Ruth Henderson, has received intimation that her youngest son, Lance Corporal Jackson Henderson, Inniskilling Fusiliers, Machine Gun Section, has been killed in action. He had served in Dublin during the Sinn Fein rebellion, and had only gone to the front on 13th July. His brother, Private James Henderson, Inniskillings, has been wounded and is in hospital abroad.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 7th October 1916: Private Jackson Henderson
Private Jackson Henderson, 140th Brigade. Machine Gun Corps, killed in action, was the youngest son of Mrs Henderson, Tamnamore Post Office. He enlisted in May 1915. He served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Dublin during the rebellion. Afterwards he was transferred to the 140th Brigade. The deceased soldier was a member of Tamnamore L.O.L. 153, and the Apprentice Boys of Derry, Portadown Club, and was in his 20th year. He was also a section leader of Tamnamore U.V.F. An elder brother, Private James Henderson, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, is also on active service in France, but is at present in a base hospital in France wounded in the hand. Lieutenant Norman H Galloway, Machine Gun 14th Brigade, writes as follows to Mrs Henderson:-
'I deeply regret to have to inform you that your son, 42603, Private Jackson Henderson, was killed in action while gallantly carrying out his duty under heavy artillery and rifle fire. He died instantaneously. Your son was loved by both his officers and the men of his section, most popular and always seen on duty. Nobody could have been a better soldier or truer comrade. Accept my sympathies, dear madam, and that of his fellow soldiers. I, as his officer, can pay no better compliment than to say he was a splendid fellow and a fine soldier.'
An elder brother, Private James Henderson, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, also served in France. At the time of Jackson's death, James was in a base hospital in France with a wound to the hand.
1917
It seems James was injured again in June 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 19th June 1917: Private James Henderson (brother of Jackson Henderson)
Private James Henderson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Tamnamore, Moy, wounded.
In his will, Jackson left all to his mother.
Last Will and Testament of Lance Corporal Jackson Henderson:
'In the event of my death, I leave all of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs R Henderson, Tamnamore Post Office, Moy, County Tyrone, Ireland. Jackson Henderson. Lance Corporal. 42603 Machine Gun Corps. 8th July 1916.'
Memorials
Lance Corporal J Henderson is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, north east of Albert in the somme region of France.
Both Jackson and his brother James are commemorated on Tamnamore L.O.L. 513 World War One Roll of Honour Plaque in Tamnamore Orange Hall.
Private J Henderson is commemorated on Dungannon War Memorial, listed on the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers plaque.
The CWGC record Lance Corporal Jackson Henderson as the son of Ruth Henderson of Tamnamore, Moy, County Tyrone.
