Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, El-Teb (Sub-Lieut. P. D. M. Henderson, R.N. H.M.S. Hecla) light pitting from star, otherwise better than very fine £300-350

Ex Upfill-Brown Collection 1991.

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 was summed up by the C-in-C. East Indies as 'An incorrigible drunkard and not 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.'