People Australia

Leonard Alston Henderson, n.d. photographer unknown

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

LEONARD ALSTON HENDERSON, the son of Mr. James Henderson, late General Manager of the City Bank of Sydney, and Mrs. Henderson, was born at Drummoyne, Sydney, on 27th March, 1889. He was educated at the Sydney Grammar School, and joined the service of the Bank on 15th July, 1907, at Head Office. In 1910 he proceeded to Suva, but returned to the Inspector’s Department at the Head Office in July, 1911, and was subsequently transferred to the Royal Exchange Branch.

He enlisted in July, 1915, and went away with reinforcements to the 13th Battalion in August. After a period of training in Egypt he reached Gallipoli and remained there until the evacuation.

During the re-adjustment of battalions in Egypt subsequent to the evacuation he was drafted to the 45th Battalion, and arrived in France in June, 1916, and went into action at Fleurbaix. Later his battalion moved south to the Somme, and he was promoted to the rank of second-lieutenant; subsequently to lieutenant. He remained in France with his battalion until the Armistice, and eventually reached Australia in March, 1919.