HENDERSON, John Patrick Leo

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Rank: 
Major
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Special Service (Commando) Group, Brigade, and Brigade Signals
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Engineers
Service: 
Army
Service Number: 
117132
Honours & Awards: 
Military Cross (MC)
Died : 
Sunday, January 16, 1944
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
31
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Caserta War Cemetery Italy
Operations: 
Salerno - Operation Avalanche
Lt Henderson 2 Commando
Major John Henderson MC, 2 Special Service Brigade HQ, died during operations in Italy. Son of James Alexander Leo Henderson and of Maud Sophia Grace Henderson (nee Hardy) [1].
Service timeline
08.05.1940 transferred Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry to Royal Engineers retaining seniority as 2/Lieutenant [2]. 
04.02.1943 Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) taken on strength No.2 Commando [3].
09.09.1943 Captain (Temporary Major), No.2 Commando, awarded the Military Cross [4].
06.11.1943 posted from No.2 Commando to Commando Depot and attached to HQ Special Service Brigade [3].
Award Recommendation
"At Salerno on the 9th Sept 43 this Officer's troop was one of two which attacked and held a part of the West of the town. Capt. Henderson was conspicuous in the attack, and when counter attacked by infantry and tanks, took a most active part in repelling the assaults, himself scoring two hits on the leading tank with a Piat mortar when the tanks were shelling the house in which he was, at 100 yards range. The tank turret was jammed and almost immediately the tanks drew off" ​[4].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] London Gazette 34843, page 2701.
[3] No.2 Commando War Diary Field Returns of Officers w/e 30/10/43 and 6/11/43.
[4] London Gazette 36327, page 266 / National Archives ref. WO/373/4/41
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 
'Special Service Roll of Honour'
Photo of Commando in Gallery: 
Yes
Archive pages : 
No 2 Commando
2 Special Service / Commando Brigade

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