Trooper Herbert Stephen Henderson VC, Rhodesia Horse, Bulawayo Field Force, 1896 (c)

Photograph by Turner, Bulawayo, 1896 (c).

Trooper Henderson was awarded the VC for gallantry in saving a wounded comrade, Trooper Celliers, at Campbell's Store, Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), on 30 March 1896 during the Matabeleland War (1893-1896). According to the 'London Gazette' of 7 May 1897:

'On the morning of the 30th March 1896, just before light, Captain Macfarlane's party was surprised by the natives. Troopers Celliers and Henderson, who formed part of the advanced guard, were cut off from the main body, and Celliers was shot through the knee. His horse also was badly wounded and eventually died. Henderson then placed Celliers on his own horse, and made the best of his way to Bulawayo, The country between Campbell's Store, where they were cut off, and Bulawayo, a distance of about thirty-five miles, was full of natives fully armed, and they had, therefore, to proceed principally by night, hiding in the bush in the daytime. Celliers, who was weak from loss of blood, and in great agony, asked Henderson to leave him, but he would not, and brought him in, after passing two days and one night in the veldt without food'.

Henderson was invested with the VC by the Governor of Cape Colony, Lord Milner, in Bulawayo on 14 November 1897. He was also entitled to the British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97. Henderson died on 10 August 1942, aged 72, at his home in Bulawayo, Rhodesia.