Letters relating to Ronald Lennox Henderson, 1917

1st. Anzac Corps, 4th. May 1917.
Dear Henderson,
I write to congratulate you most heartily upon
the Military Cross, which has been awarded to you for your conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty in the fighting at Hermies
on the 9th. April. I know how untiringly you worked in the care
and treatment of the wounded, and on clearing all the cases from
the regimental aid post, you went forward under heavy fire, and
attended to those who were lying near our objective. Later, too,
I know that you treated every wounded man in the village at great
personal risk, and that, as a result of your assuidity and courage
all our wounded and many wounded prisoners were cleared by noon,
which meant so much in alleviating their sufferings.
Thank you so much for your good work, and with
good wishes for the future.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd.) W. Birdwood.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 18 JUNE 1917. 6003

enemy, capturing and sending back many
prisoners. He displayed great ability and
leadership throughout.
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Capt. (now Maj.) William John Robert
Cheeseman, Infy
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He showed the utmost coolness and 
initiative when commanding an outpost line.
They were surprised and outflanked by a
strong enemy force which broke through. He
at once organised a counter-attack and succeeded
in driving back the enemy and restoring
the outpost line again.
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Lt. Leonard Charles Cooke, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to

duty. He established and maintained communication
under very heavy fire throughout
the operations. He set a splendid example
of courage and determination.
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Lt. Leslie Dadson, M.C., Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led two platoons with great ability 
in the face of heavy fire, capturing the position
and two machine guns. His personal
bravery was largely responsible for the success
of the operation.
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Lt. Edwin John Dennis, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He gallantly led his men forward in
the face of very heavy fire, and succeeded in 
gaining his objective, which he consolidated.
He was wounded.
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2nd Lt. Herbert Leslie Dill, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He set a splendid example throughout,
and inspired his men by his fine leadership.
He was severely wounded, but continued
to command with great coolness until
relieved.
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2nd Lt. Norman Dougall, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He organised and gallantly led forward
a counter-attack which drove the enemy 
back, and undoubtedly saved a critical situation.
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2nd Lt. Arthur Alexander Duprez, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his men with great gallantry
and determination under heavy fire. His
splendid example largely contributed to the
success of the operations.
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Lt. Roy Earl, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led a party of machine gunners
and bombers against the enemy, capturing
three machine guns and several prisoners.
His prompt action and gallantry removed a
great danger, and undoubtedly saved many
casualties.
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2nd Lt. Frederick Gawler, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty when in command of an advanced post.
He gallantly defeated a determined enemy
attempt to rush his post. He set a magnificent 
example to his men.
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Lt. George Frederick Gould, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his men with great gallantry
and initiative in the face of heavy fire, driving
back the enemy and consolidating the position.
He set a splendid example of courage
and coolness throughout.
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Lt. Reginald Hall, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He showed great initiative and coolness
in holding his post against large numbers
of the enemy.
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Capt. Reginald Hemmingway, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He organised and gallantly led a 
counter-attack which drove the enemy back
at a critical time. He set a splendid example
of courage and initiative.
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Capt. Ronald Lennox Henderson, Aust. [*| |*]
A.M.C., attd. Infy. [*| |*]
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to [*| |*]
duty. He displayed great courage and determination [*| |*]
in tending the wounded under very [*| |*]
heavy fire. His devotion to duty saved many
lives.

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Lt. Austin Albert Heritage, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to 
duty. He gallantly led his men in the face
of heavy fire, driving the enemy out of their
position with heavy losses. Later, he rallied
his men under heavy trench mortar bombardment
 and re-established the position. 
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Lt. Aleck Walter Hicks, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He assumed command of his company,
and led it forward in the most gallant
manner. He sent back valuable information.
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2nd Lt. Alfred Thomas Hill, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his platoon forward in the
face of very heavy hostile fire, and was
largely responsible for checking the enemy's
advance at a critical time.
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2nd Lt. Richmond Gordon Howell-Price,
Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his platoon in the most gallant
manner, and was largely responsible for
the success of the operations.
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2nd Lt. Herbert John Hunt, M.G. Corps.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He fought his machine guns with
great gallantry, and rendered invaluable
assistance throughout the operations. He
set a fine example to his men.
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Lt. Norman George Imlay, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He handled his machine guns with
the greatest skill, and inspired his men by

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6004 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 18 JUNE, 1917.
his fine personal example. Later, he personally
covered the retirement of his men.
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Lt. Robert George Jackson, Fd. Arty.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. At great personal risk he extinguished
a fire which broke out in an ammunition
dump. He has at all times set a 
splendid example of courage and determination.
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Lt. George Edward Jamieson, M.G. Corps.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He handled his machine guns with
the greatest skill, and materially assisted in
repelling a strong enemy attack. He has at
all times set a splendid example of courage
and initiative.
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Lt. Walter Seaborn Jones, Engrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He displayed great courage and initiative
on several occasions in organising
parties to rescue men who had been buried.
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Lt. William Duncan Kenyon, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his platoon in the attack and
inspired his men to such an extent by his
courage and determination that they achieved
what was almost an impossible task.
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Lt. John Strachan Kerr, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his platoon with great gallantry 
and carried his men with him through
uncut wire into the second objective. He
set a splendid example of courage and initiative
throughout the operations.
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Capt. William Duncan Kirkland, A.A.M.C.,
attd. Fd. Arty.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. During hostile shelling two ammunition 
dumps were set on fire also causing
several casualties. He immediately went to
the assistance of the wounded, and, regardless
of heavy shell fire and numerous explosions,
dressed their wounds. He has at all
times set a fine example.
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Lt. Claude Lawrence Lacey, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He showed great skill and courage in
leading the attack made by his battalion. He
captured the position with several prisoners
and a machine gun. He consolidated his
position and later successfully repelled an
enemy counter-attack.
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Lt. Joe Tilson Lang, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He has rendered invaluable service
while in charge of patrols and has obtained
much valuable information.
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Lt. Geoffrey Heydon Leslie, Infy
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his platoon in the most gallant
manner, and succeeded in establishing an
advanced post in spite of being subjected to
very heavy hostile fire.
Lt. Roderic Archibald Macalpine, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to 
duty. He led his platoon with great dash
against a large party of the enemy, and
accounted for practically all of them.
Later, he assumed command of his company,
and by his skilful leadership saved a critical
situation.
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Lt. William Maclaren, Fld. Arty.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He withdrew his guns from their pits
and brought them into action to a flank at a
range of about 400 yards, and thus
materially assisted in repelling an enemy
attack.
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Capt. George Nicholas Mann, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his company in the most
gallant manner, and succeeded in capturing
forty-five unwounded prisoners. Later, he
took command of another company in addition
to his own, and directed the advance of
both companies.
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2nd Lt. Norman Martin, M.G. Corps.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to 
duty. His subsection was attacked in the
rear by overpowering numbers, and seeing
no hope of saving his guns, he caused them
to be destroyed, and fought his way through.
Later, he organised scattered elements of
infantry and organised a successful attack,
driving the enemy back.
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Lt. William Fitzroy Heatley Master, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He rallied his men under very heavy
fire, and inspired them by his magnificent
personal example. He was wounded.
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Temp. Capt. William John McBride, Engrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He organised the defence of a deep
mine system, and also parties to rescue
several men who had been gassed. His
prompt action undoubtedly saved many lives.
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Capt. John Hinwood McDonald, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his company in the most
gallant manner, and was largely responsible
for the success of the operations. He set a
fine example to his men.
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Capt. Robert Bruce McIntosh, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He commanded the right company in
the attack, and showed great courage in
leading his men through enemy wire which
was uncut. He was severely wounded.
––––––––––––––
Lt. Randolph George Finlay McMahon,
Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to 
duty. He organised and skilfully led a
counter-attack which drove back the enemy
with heavy losses. He set a fine example of
courage and initiative.
––––––––––––––
Lt. (now Capt.) John Arthur Mitchell, Infy.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He led his platoon with great
gallantry, and captured the first objective.

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