This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who died during 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, James Young Milne (‘JY’) played for Scotland (Milne-Henderson in the CWGC records) Internationals: 1 : 1911 E- James Henderson was born on 9 March 1891, son of John and Ina Milne-Henderson of 15 Merchiston Park, Edinburgh. Played as a Scrum Half for: George Watson’s College, Watsonians. Played Rugby for Madras. Profession: Business in India. Works Manager for McVitie and Price Ltd, Willesden, London. Remarks: East of Scotland swimming champion. War service: Lieutenant, 10/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. On 31 July 1917, during the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres, aided by two tanks, the 46th Bde attacked Frezenburg village, before a party from the King’s Own Scottish Borderers outflanked the enemy position. The 11th Highland Light Infantry came under fire from enemy positions at Square Farm, Hill 35 and Frost House. After the 1/7th King’s took Square Farm, the 11th HLI took Low Farm, but were checked by fire from Pommern Castle and Hill 35. Lt Henderson was killed in action on 31 July 1917 in Flanders, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium [Panel 38]. Capt A S Taylor, an Irish International, who was a Royal Army Medical Corps doctor attached to the 10/11th HLI, was killed in action on the same day.
In Memory of Lieutenant JAMES YOUNG MILNE-HENDERSON Mentioned in Despatches 11th Bn., Highland Light Infantry who died age 26 on 31 July 1917 Son of John and Ina Young Milne-Henderson, of 15, Merchiston Park, Edinburgh. A Watsonian and an International Rugby Footballer and member of the Madras Rugby team. Junior, East of Scotland Swimming Champion. Works Manager to McVitie and Price, Ltd., Willesden, London. His brother, John also fell. Remembered with honour YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL In Memory of Second Lieutenant JOHN MILNE MILNE-HENDERSON 11th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps formerly 4th Field Coy., Royal Engineers who died age 23 on 28 January 1918 Son of John Milne-Henderson and Ina Milne-Henderson, of 15, Merchiston Park, Edinburgh. His brother, James also fell. Remembered with honour ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL
2Lt John Milne-Henderson (formerly Royal Engineers) was flying Bristol Fighter B1189, of No 11 Sqn RFC, with 2Lt Edward Cunningham as observer, when both airmen were killed in action on 28 January 1918. They have no known grave, and are commemorated on the Arras Memorial. The Bristol was on a Close Offensive Patrol near Cambrai when it was shot down. Vzfw Fritz Rumey of Jasta 5 was credited with a victory over a 'Bristol' near Graincourt at 11:15; it was the 7th of his eventual 45 victories. Gareth
