Randy Evans

After the First World War the congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian decided to erect an Honour Roll to commemorate the church’s fallen.

There was no question the names of Bentley, Bissett, Chapman, Cowan, McGibbon, Soper and Towers would be added to the Roll.  After all, the remains of these servicemen lay in marked and unmarked graves overseas.

But what about Cpt. William A. Henderson, a local doctor?  Should his name be included?

Dr. Henderson was not just another parishioner.  Born in 1871 in Scotland, he rose to prominence in Sarnia as a physician, a community leader and became the city’s mayor in 1911.

His legacy as mayor included convincing the federal government to dredge Sarnia Bay and create a harbour capable of berthing overwintering ships.

He was an early war enlistee into the British Army Medical Corps in 1915 and served in Egypt and France, and notably during the bloody rout of the British at Gallipoli in November and December of that year.

That should clearly have made Captain Henderson a candidate for the church’s Honour Rolls – except for two facts. He didn’t die overseas or on active duty.

On Aug. 12, 1916 the doctor returned to Sarnia and a public reception at Victoria Square.  Speeches by dignitaries followed band performances and a parade of motorcars through the downtown.

The Observer ran a multi-page report on the reunion that didn’t mention any war-related injury suffered by the doctor.  On the contrary, he appeared to be in the best of health, and began re-engaging into an active professional and civilian life.

Unfortunately, that ended just two months later. On Oct. 25 the doctor was involved in a single-car accident, and its circumstances were singular. Witnesses said his car went out of control for no apparent reason.  Dr. Henderson was seen falling over sideways in the car before it collided with a coal wagon.

Clearly, the deceased had been in distress prior to the impact. No cause of death was released to the public.

The Observer immediately attributed Dr. Henderson’s death to his war experience. Similarly, in a speech to St. Andrew’s faithful, Rev. J.J. Patterson stated, “It might well appear that Dr. Henderson is another victim of The Great War … His strenuous year at the Front with his enthusiastic advocacy of the Red Cross movement since his return have proved too much for human strength.“

That conclusion was well founded.  Within Sarnia it was well known that some World War One veterans died very soon after returning home, and not all of war-related injuries. Other circumstances prevailed in some cases.

Dr. Henderson was one of 14 returnees who met such a premature demise. Even after Armistice, the war continued to claim lives.

Dr. Henderson’s name was indeed included on the St. Andrew’s Honour Rolls, which is fitting and proper.  Along with the others, his service is most deserving of Remembrance.

The name of Captain W.A. Henderson does not, however, appear on the Sarnia Cenotaph.

Lest we forget.