Reginald Friend Hannam Henderson

Henderson was born in the coastal village of Worth in Kent, the second of four sons born to John Henderson and Laura Catherine (née Hannam). His three brothers also served in the Navy; William Hannam Henderson (1845–1931) became an Admiral, Frank Hannam Henderson (1850–1918) a Vice-Admiral,^[1] and John Hannam Henderson retired as a commander.^[2] John's son Sir Reginald G. H. Henderson also became an Admiral.

Henderson joined the Royal Navy in the 1860s. He was appointed a Lieutenant in 1869,^[3] Commander in 1881.^[4] and Captain in 1887.^[5]

He was in command of the battleships HMS Royal Sovereign from 1895 and HMS Mars from 1897. In late June 1899 he was appointed Captain Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard, and served as such until August 1902. He was promoted to flag rank as rear-admiral on 15 June 1901,^[6] and on 1 September 1902 was appointed Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard, flying his flag in HMS Narcissus.^[7]

He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1892 Birthday Honours,^[8] Knight Commander (KCB) of the order in the 1907 Birthday Honours list, and advanced to a Knight Grand Cross (GCB) of the order in the 1914 Birthday Honours list.^[9]