James Sydney Henderson 1923

James Sydney Henderson

"Sid" was born on 15 February 1923 in Edinburgh, the son of Andrew Henderson and Maria Trim. His grandfather, Charles Trim died on 26 October 1923 in Exminster, at which time his family moved back to the area of East Devon where his parents had met and married after the Great War and where Sid's elder brother Andrew had been born.
They lived initially at Collinshayes, Northleigh and then 2 Hillside, Southleigh: there is a record of him attending Sunday School in Southleigh in 1930, when he was presented with a Bible.
The family moved to Hull (or Hele) Lane, Uplyme in 1931, and then to a very modest home "Belhaven" in Yawl, a hamlet in the parish of Uplyme - next to the local water works where his father was a water bailiff.
Sid attended Mrs Ethelstone's Primary School, Uplyme. A few years ago I met an elderly lady who had lived her whole life in Uplyme, and remembered Sid from Mrs Ethelstone's where they were both pupils. She described him as having "reddish hair".
He attended Lyme Regis Grammar School between (1933 and 1938), and was a member of Wolf Patrol and King Scout in the 1st Uplyme Scout Troop. Photo of Sid and his brother, Andrew at Belhaven

Photo of Sid and his brother, Andrew at Belhaven

He then followed his older brother Andrew into the Royal Air Force at Halton. Initially he was a engaged as an Aircraft Apprentice, but soon changed courses and qualified as a Wireless Operator Mechanic on 21 January 1941. He was posted to RAF Middle Wallop, where 604 Squadron RAF were operating Bristol Beaufighters in a specialist night fighting role.

Sid was killed in a cycle accident while on duty on 28 March 1941, less than five weeks after his eighteenth birthday.

Report of funeral

Drew and his brother, Sid
Burns extract from Sids Autogragh Book

On one of his last visits to Belhaven, his Dad wrote this quotation from Robert Burns in Sid's autograph book. I came across it when I was a teenager: a reflection that I have valued all my life.

On 12 April 1941, "Pop", Sid's Dad, had an operation at Lyme Regis Hospital: he died the following day.