Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 234

The important 1914-15 Star to Admiral Sir Reginald Guy Hannam Henderson, G.C.B., Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy, a key contributor to the Trans-Atlantic convoy system

1914-15 Star (Commr. R. G. H. Henderson. R.N.), nearly extremely fine

[G.C.B.] London Gazette 28 February 1939.

Reginald Guy Hannam Henderson was born into a naval family in Falmouth on 1 September 1881, the son of Commander John Hannam Henderson and Betsy Ann May. He entered H.M.S. Britannia as a naval cadet in 1895. Posted to H.M.S. Syren in April 1902, he rose to Lieutenant on 15 May that year and transferred to H.M.S. Venerable six months later. He took part in the Naval Mission to Greece in 1913, and commanded H.M.S. Erin at the start of the Great War. He served at Jutland in 1916. The following year he advised on anti-submarine warfare at the Admiralty, and was instrumental in reducing the casualties suffered by Trans-Atlantic convoys (see J. Grigg, Lloyd George: War Leader, 1916-1918 (London, 2002)). After the war he became Chief Staff Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, China Station. In 1923 he joined the staff of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Joining the Fleet Air Arm, he oversaw the construction of early aircraft carriers. He commanded H.M.S. Furious in 1926 and became Naval A.D.C. to King George V in 1928. He was appointed Rear-Admiral commanding aircraft carriers in 1931 and Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy in 1934. In March 1939 he fell ill and was forced to retire; his award of the G.C.B. was accepted at Buckingham Palace on his behalf by his wife Islay Edith Campbell, whom he married in 1911, fathering three sons. He died two months later in the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar; sold with a copy of R. D. Layman's book Before the Aircraft Carrier: The Development of Aviation Vessels 1849-1922 (London, 1989).

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£280

Starting price
£60