This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Henderson, Sir Robert Samuel Findlay KCMG CB played for England Internationals: 5 : 1882 W+ (1t) ; 1883 S+ ; 1884 W+ S+ ; 1885 W+ Robert Henderson was born on 11 December 1858, in Calcutta Played as a Forward for: Bedford Grammar School, Fettes College, Edinburgh University, Blackheath, St Mary’s Hospital Profession: Medicine/Army. He entered the Army Medical Service in 1884. War service: Colonel, Army Medical Service; served with the 17th Division in 1915, seconded for service under the Colonial Office from 24 July 1915, then Director-General New Zealand Medical Services 1915-1919; Mentioned in Despatches 27 July 1917. Remarks: He served in the Sudan (Medal with clasp, Bronze Star); Burma 1886-1891 (Mentioned in Despatches 1892, medal with three clasps); China-Inshara Expedition 1890 (clasp); North-West Frontier 1891-1898. He then served during the South African War 1901-1902, where he commanded 25 hospitals (Queen’s medal with five clasps). Secretary to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley 1907. Director of Medical Services’ Department in India 1908-1912, Honorary Physician to the King 1911. Assistant Director Medical Services, Quetta Division 1914. CB 1917, KCMG 1919 He died on 5 October 1924 at Millbank.
The Blackheath 1st XV that played Newport on March 17th 1883 - Blackheath won by 2 tries to 1. Back Row (L-R): L.Stokes, G.W.Burton, J.Hammond, C.J.B.Marriott, A.Poland, J.M.Smith, G.O.Jacob, G.Twyford, E.J.Moore, R.A.Carruthers, A.Darandu, A.H.Jackson, John Smith. Front Row: W.N.Bolton, G.Standing, C.Templer, P.A.Newton, A.Spurling, R.S.F.Henderson, A.Budd.
HONOURS FROM THE KING By command of His Majesty the King an investiture was held on Tuesday at Government House, Wellington. His Excellency the Governor-General, the Earl of Liverpool, presented to Surgeon-General R S F HENDERSON the insignia of Companion of the Bath, and to Colonels C M GIBBON, H R POTTER, N P ADAMS, Lieutenant Colonel L E BARNETT and Major Norton FRANCIS, the insignia of Companion of St Michael & St George. AWN - 25 April1918 http://api.digitalnz.org/records/v1...alnz&api_key=dceda3e161834bb69127e6a0ad2ff909
