Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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40874   Rifleman Thomas McCready Henderson
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 12/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 23/06/1887
Died: 07/09/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 31
Summary      
Thomas McCready Henderson was the youngest son of George and Margaret Henderson. He was born on 23rd June 1887 in Tobermore. A newspaper report reveals the family lived at Killynumber House in Tobermore. Thomas’ father died when he was young. Thomas enlisted in Antrim. Thomas Henderson served with the North Irish Horse for a time, Service No. 2075. Rifleman Thomas McCready Henderson was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in Belgium on Saturday 7th September 1918.
Further Information
Thomas McCready Henderson was the youngest son of George and Margaret Henderson. George Henderson married Margaret Henderson (maiden name) on 19th July 1870 in the district of Tobermore.
Thomas Henderson was born on 23rd June 1887 in Tobermore, County Derry. Because his mother’s maiden name was Henderson, it is impossible to identify all the family.
Known family: George Henderson, Margaret Henderson, Eliza J Henderson (born 12th July 1871), James Henderson (born about 1876), John Henderson (born 26th May 1880), Margaret Henderson (born 13th July 1885), Thomas Henderson (born 23rd June 1887), Anna Bella ‘Annie’ Henderson (born 4th September 1889).
A newspaper report reveals the family lived at Killynumber House in Tobermore.
Thomas' father died when he was young.
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 13, living with the family at house 2 in Killynumber, Inniscairn, County Londonderry. His mother was a widow.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 6 in Killynumber, Inniscairn.
Thomas enlisted in Antrim.
Medal card
Thomas Henderson served with the North Irish Horse for a time, Service No. 2075.
Rifleman Thomas McCready Henderson was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in France and Flanders on Saturday 7th September 1918.
On 1st September 1918, the battalion proceeded to Neuve Eglise area as divisional support. On the 4th, the battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion in the line. On 7th September, 7 men from the 1st battalion were killed, with 28 more wounded.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 30th September 1918:
Rifleman T M Henderson, Royal Irish Rifles, No 40874, killed in action on 8th September, was the youngest son of Mr George Henderson, Killynumber House, Tobermore. He formerly served in the North Irish Horse.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Tobermore
Tobermore Olive Branch Royal Black Preceptory No 390 held their monthly meeting in the Orange Hall, Tobermore, on 10th October, when Sir Kt W Bradley, R.W.M., occupied the chair, assisted by Sir Kt James Elliott in the vice-chair. Roll call showed a good attendance and the finances, that the preceptory was in a flourishing condition. Two members were initiated and eighteen members received higher degrees. Votes of sympathy were passed to Sir Kt James Todd, D.M., on the death of his son; to Sir Kt John Henderson on the death in action of his brother, and to Sir Kt James Anderson on the death of his brother John, who fell in action also.
Rifleman Thomas Henderson is buried in Kandahar Farm Cemetery, which is located 14 km south of Ypres in Belgium.
CWGC records list a Mrs M Henderson, Swatragh.
The CWGC incorrectly name him as Thomas N Henderson.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Killynumber house Desertmartin Lived in Killynumber House 54.791201 -6.684013
2 Killynumber, Iniscarn Desertmartin Census listing in Killynumber, Iniscarn 54.792526 -6.693855
3 Tobermore area Tobermore Born Tobermore, listed Tobermore memorials 54.809051 -6.700966
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 census lists Henderson family 1901 census lists Thomas as age 13, living with the family at house 2 in Kellynumber, Inniscairn, Londonderry
2 1911 census lists Henderson family 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 6 in Killynumber, Iniscarn, Londonderry
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of Rifleman Thomas Henderson's grave
4 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
5 North Irish Horse Details of Rifleman Thomas McCready Henderson including grave photo
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Rifleman Thomas Henderson's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023