Lieut. R. J. Henderson D.S.O. Citation
Issued 12 Jul. 1945

HENDERSON, R.J – D.S.O. LG: 12 Jul. 1945 Lieutenant (304895). The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) (Edinburgh 11) “in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe.”

"the village of SPELDROP had been captured by Lieut. Henderson’s Coy on the night 23/24 Mar soon after the assault crossing of the rhine and immediately afterwards was fiercely counter attacked by infantry and S.P. guns. The position became extremely confused and Lieut. Henderson knowing that the holding of the village which lay astride the main REES-EMMERICH road, was vital to the development of the Rhine bridgehead immediately volunteered to lead a patrol to find the exact extent of the enemy penetration. From the outset he and his patrol came under heavy M.G. fire directed entirely against their activities and as heavy casualties were being sustained, Lieut. Henderson ordered the rest of the patrol to take cover while he and a Bren gunner went forward. Almost immediately an enemy machine gun opened up at close range. The Bren gunner was killed and Lieut. Henderson’s revolver was knocked out of his hand. Seizing his shovel, Lieut. Henderson charged the machine gun position alone and killed the gunner with his shovel.

"Lieut. Henderson then made his way back to the rest of his patrol and although the only building at hand was already in flames, he got his men into it and put it into a state of defence. The officer and his patrol were by now completely cut off from the rest of the Bn. and all attempts to regain contact with them were unsuccessful. In the meantime, Lieut. Henderson, realizing his small party had no L.M.G., immediately went forward in spite of very heavy close range fire directed at him, crawled a distance of 60 yards to where the Bren gunner had been killed, collected the weapon and with the greatest difficulty made his way back to his besieged party. Armed with this weapon he and his small party held out, for over 12 hours, against all attempts to dislodge them. During the whole of this period the enemy’s attacks against the house never relaxed and on six separate occasions these attacks were supported by bazookas fired at close range. Under Lieut. Henderson’s untiring leadership all these attacks were beaten off, and the enemy’s efforts to advance further towards REES which, had they succeeded, might well have had very serious results at this critical stage of the bridgehead, were frustrated. A completely fresh Bn and tanks had to be committed before the village was finally recaptured the following evening and by holding out as he did, Lieut. Henderson also greatly influenced the successful outcome of this later attack. During the whole action he displayed supreme courage and his aggressive and skilful defence, he also inspired his small party that even when it was apparent that they were isolated from their unit, they achieved such splendid results from what might well have appeared a hopeless situation.

"It is impossible to speak to highly of the valour and magnificent conduct shown by this young officer."

Robert John Henderson. Born in 1925; (14433554) Cdt., OUT; 2Lt, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), 22 Jan 1944; Lt 7th Bn, Black Watch, Served in NW Europe (D.S.O.); recommended for V.C. by CO 1st Black Watch, Apr 1945, Downgraded to an immediate D.S.O. by Lt-Gen Demsey (q.v) GOC-in-C 2nd Army; Pl Cmdr, “D” Coy, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Served in Palestine, 1945-1946; Required his commn, 9 Dec 1953; Hon. Capt; later ordained; Minister, St.Cuthbert’s Parish Church, 1972, S.B.St.J. LG: 25 Apr; Rev, M.A., B.D. C.F 4th Cl, Royal Army Chaplains Dept, T.A & A.V. Res, 11 Dec 1978; resigned his commn; 1 August 1983.