The Upfill-Brown Collection

Pair: Lieutenant P.D.M. Henderson, Royal Navy

EGYPT 1882-89, undated, 1 clasp, El-Teb (Sub Lieut., R.N., H.M.S. Hecla); KHEDIVE'SSTAR 1884, very fine and better (2)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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Lieutenant Percy Douglas Melville Henderson entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in 1875 and participated in the Egyptian and Sudanese operations while serving as a Sub Lieutenant aboard H. M. S. Hecla. Landed with the Naval Brigade, he was present at El-Teb and promoted for his conduct. Sadly this recognition was to be short-lived, the unfortunate Henderson afterwards developing a serious drinking problem which would mar his career up until his departure from the Service in 1894. Court Martialled for 'wilful disobedience of a lawful command and drunkeness, Henderson character was summed up by the C-in-C. East Indies as 'An incorrigible drunkard and nor a desirable officer to be detained in H. M. 's Service. ' Previous evidence from Commander Markham had done little to assist the defendant's case: 'This officer's consumption of wine has been greatly in excess, especially in the matter of spirits.' The final word was left to a Naval Record Office clerk who inscribed Henderson's service papers with the following entry: 'Retired on half-pay. . . in consequence of being considered a dipsomaniac.'