A Scottish Provost's Great War 'Gallipoli' campaign & Indian Army group of 4: Provost James Bremner Henderson, O.B.E., Provost of Coatbridge & former Lieutenant Indian Army Reserve of Officers, late Arab Labour Corps & Army Service Corps

- Order of the British Empire (Civil). Officer's 4th Class (O.B.E.) second type gilt breast badge
- 1914-15 Star (S4-140340. Pte. J. B. Henderson, A.S.C.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (2.Lieut. J.B. Henderson.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (2.Lieut. J.B. Henderson.)

Recipient was a Councillor for Coatbridge, Renfrewshire, Scotland 1936-1958, and had the distinction of being Provost 1955-1958

Important: All medals and clasps verified per respective campaign medal rolls, service papers and London Gazette as under;

- Officer of Order of the British Empire (Civil Division). O.B.E. (Supplement to the London Gazette 01/01/65)
- 1914 -15 Star: WO 329/2891, medal roll of R.A.S.C.
- British War Medal: WO 329/1995 'Discharged 2/11/18 appointed to Commission in I:A:R:O:'
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1995 'Discharged 2/11/18 appointed to Commission in I:A:R:O:'

James Henderson, son of Magnus Henderson (a Crofter) and Sinclair Henderson (nee Bremner) was a native of Fenwick, Caithness, Scotland, where he was born on,17 May 1889. Sometime employed as Farm Servant, James subsequently relocated to Wick, Caithness, where he had an appointment as an 'Assistant Draper'. Prior to the Great War, James had relocated to Glasgow, where he was employed in a drapers business. On 6 October 1915, James attested for the British Army, at Kelso, Scotland, under terms 'Duration of the War'. Originally his corps was shown as Royal Army Medical Corps, but this was changed to a posting to the Army Service Corps (Supply Branch)

Gallipoli Service 1915: After only a few weeks of basic training t “A” Depot, Army Service Corps, at Aldershot, Hampshire, England, Pte. Henderson was embarked for overseas service in the Dardanelles Campaign, or Gallipoli. He embarked on 5 November 1915, from Devonport aboard the new 13,405-ton HMT “Andania”. HMT “Andania” was bound for the ill-starred Campaign at Gallipoli – soon to be Evacuated. James sailed via Alexandria (in Egypt) and Mudros (a Greek island in the Aegean). James disembarked from the “Andania” at the picturesque Mediterranean Expeditionary Force staging-point island of Mudros on 18 October 1915

Indian Army & 21st Arab Labour Corps: The Indian Army List of April 1920 has the entry:- Henderson, 2nd Lt., J. B., IARO: Wing Commander, 21st Arab Labour Corps. The Arab Labour Corps was part of the Indian Labour Corps (ILC). The officers for these diverse Labour Corps were at first drawn from Arabic speaking Anglo-Egyptians and afterwards NCOs and Privates were recruited from British units and trained in Arabic. Organised into Companies of 600 and more men, with a Subaltern commanding officer and two junior officers. Three to six of these Companies formed a ‘Camp’, under an Officer Commanding of a particular ‘Area’. The War Diary of 21st Arab Labour Corps shows extensive and demanding Labour service resulting in sickness and constant reinforcement of Arabs, Indians, and Persian coolies, due to the hard work and constant demands. This took place mainly in the Magil area, until the end of 1919. The Indian Army List of April 1921 shows Henderson listed under the Labour Directorate Headquarters list. This list of 85 x Officers stationed at so-called ‘Outstations' – including Henderson, whose name was unfortunately truncated is shown as ' Hender’ (sic) 2nd-Lt. J. B., IARO: W. Comd. 21st A. L.C.

After his resignation from the Indian Army, James Henderson, returned to his native Scotland, where he opened a Draper's shop, at Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His shop – which catered for Ladies’ clothes – was located on Sunnyside Road, Coatbridge, and (almost certainly in concert with his wife Alice, and probably his sister-in-law Elizabeth) developed from ‘humble’ beginnings, into an ever-expanding and profitable business. The advertising for the ‘Jas. B. Henderson’ retail firm of Ladies’ Wear was aggressive but also appealed to feelings of ‘Trust’ and at the same time offering price cuts of 15%.

Marriage: James got married in the St. John’s United Free Church, Kelso, on 14 June 1921, to Alice C. McKenzie, of Kelso

Coatbridge Community Politics: The 1936 Council elections for the “Second Ward”, saw Master-Draper James B. Henderson (Moderate) contend the race for office against the incumbent Labour man (D. Gilbertson). Sensationally for those days, Henderson made modern use of loud-speakers to reach the crowds. His well-received speech (appealing to ex-serviceman like himself) was printed in the local newspaper. Perhaps by a happy co-incidence, his stirring election speech was placed next to a large advertisement for ‘Ladies’ Frocks’ sold by none other than the well-known Jas. B. Henderson: the motto being, ‘Put your Trust in “Jay-Bee'. The Coatbridge Leader” of 7 November 1936 featured a large photograph of a dapper looking and well-dressed ‘Councillor Henderson’, under the headline: ‘Council Balance of Power Upset’. The political newcomer and local businessman Henderson had gained over thirteen hundred votes, and had beaten his opponent by a margin of 193. This was the beginning of a successful, second career in Coatbridge: no doubt the local politics and his business interests complemented one another. He and his wife Alice lived in comparative luxury in a better area of Coatbridge, namely at “Morven”, 36 Wood Street: worth half a million Pounds on the 2021 market. James Henderson was variously Councillor, Baillie, Provost, but also a Magistrate. James Bremner Henderson O.B.E. is recorded to have died at Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, on, 29 April 1969

Portrait with Chains of Office: In 1955, having reached the zenith of his political ambitions, a delightful portrait was taken of the Provost of Coatsbridge, probably in a local photo studio (see image attached)

On 2 May 1969 the “Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser” published a brief obituary:-

Quote,

The former Provost of Coatbridge, Mr James Henderson, OBE, J. P., died suddenly in Alexander Hospital on Tuesday after an illness. Mr Henderson (80) (sic) lived with his wife, Alice, at “Morven”, 36 Wood Street, Coatbridge. He was elected to the Town Council in 1936 as a Progressive member and retired from Council duties in 1958. It was in 1955 that Mr Henderson became Provost and remained so until his retirement. He served as Dean of Guild in 1941-42, and again in 1944-45. Mr Henderson was always interested in Welfare and Old Age Pensioners’ Clubs in Coatbridge, having a very long association with both. He continued his interest after his retirement and it was for his work in this field that he received his OBE. Mr Henderson was also a well-known businessman in Coatbridge. His funeral took place yesterday.

Unquote

The medals all mounted in the swing-style. The silk ribands suspended from a contemporary white metal medal mounting bar, this latter retaining its original long hinged pin and clasp fittings

Condition: Mostly about GVF

Code: 24097