BX January 10, 1916

A Battery of Artillery to Be Raised Here - Major W.T. Henderson, City Solicitor, Will be in Command - Received Majority

Authority for the formation of an artillery battery in Brantford has been given.  The commandant will be Captain W.T. Henderson, city solicitor, who has been promoted to major.  This announcement was made by Brig.-General Logie while he was in the city yesterday.  In all three more artillery batteries for overseas service from the Toronto military area have been authorized.  One will be raised in Brantford and commanded by Major Henderson.  Another will be raised in Toronto and will be commanded by Major W. Field, who was commander of teh 42nd Battery at Exhibition camp until it was formed into an ammunition column.  the third battery will be commanded by Major W.H. Singer of the 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment.  the batteries to be commanded by Majors Henderson and Singer will  likely be raised from men recruited in Brantford, St. Catharines and Toronto.

BX February 1, 1916

New Battery To Be Raised Here – Major W.T. Henderson Authorized to Proceed With Recruiting

Major W.T. Henderson, O.C. 32nd Battery, has received instructions to proceed at once with recruiting for the 54th Overseas Battery.  The battery will be raised in this city and will have headquarters here, the report of some time ago that it would be raised in Hamilton being untrue. The headquarters will be on George Street in the rooms over Vanstone’s store, and work of recruiting will be commenced at once.

BX February 3, 1916

Battery Recruiting

Recruiting for the new 54th Overseas Battery got away to a good start yesterday, there being 30 applications for positions.  As the new quarters are not quite completed the men will not report for duty for a few days.  As soon as the headquarters on George Street are completed, which will be in all probability by tomorrow night, the outfitting of the men will commence.  Major W.T. Henderson, O.C., expressed himself this morning as being well pleased with yesterday’s results.

BX March 1, 1916

Another Fine Contingent of Local Men Left for Overseas – Rousing Farewell to the 54th Battery, 84th and 125th Battalions Paraded to the Station to Give the Boys Fitting Farewell – Presentation to Major Henderson, O.C. Battery

To the strains of the bugles, the roar of drums and the cheers of thousands of citizens another body of Brantford’s soldier sons were at noon today started on the first lap of their overseas journey.  Thousands of cheering citizens and soldiers lining the streets and thronging the T.H. & B. station gave a fitting farewell to Major Henderson and over one hundred men, the city’s contribution to the 54th Battery.

To say they were one of the finest bodies of men Brantford has yet contributed is not saying too much of the men who left to-day for Toronto to receive further training and the completion of the battery prior to going across the ocean.  Every man was a fine looking stalwart, and while each realized the serious nature of his errand the parting was a cheerful one.

At the T.H. & B. station there was a wait of nearly three quarters of an hour, owing to the train, which was to take them away, becoming stalled in the yards.  A few minutes before the noon hour they got started.  Crowds of men, women and children thronged the platform, waiting rooms, yards and even the tracks, bidding the battery boys good bye.

Shortly before 11 o’clock the battery men paraded on the market street area with their kits.  Here the 125th was already formed up, and a few minutes after part of the 84th Battalion with the band, marched down Dalhousie Street and turned towards the T.H. & B. station on Market Street.  Then the 125th Battalion followed, and both battalions marched to the station.  

Presentation Made

During the time they were parading to the station an interesting ceremony was taking place on the market square facing Dalhousie Street.  Here a number of automobiles were lined up with the city fathers in them.  Major Henderson marched his men up alongside, and Ald. Dowling, acting mayor, wished the boys God speed.  He made an effective address, expressing his regret at the absence of Mayor Bowlby.  He expressed the pride of the city in the boys, and hoped that they would all return safely.  In concluding, he presented Major Henderson, on behalf of the city, with a check for $25, to be used in any way for the purchase of equipment.  He spoke of Major Henderson’s career as city solicitor, and told him that he would be glad to know that the city concurred with him in his wishes as regards his office, and that it would be waiting for him when he returned, as all hoped he would.

In accepting the cheque Major Henderson thanked the city fathers briefly.  He said the battery was going to Toronto for further training.  He did not know the boys very well yet, having been with them only a short time, but he had a word of praise for them.  He then called for three cheers for Brantford, and these were heartily given.

Paraded to Station

The acting mayor then called for cheers for the battery boys and these were lustily given by the crowd.  Major Henderson gave the command to march, and headed by the 125th band they paraded towards the station.  Just as they started to march away and Major Henderson had finished shaking hands with the aldermen and civic officials, someone called out “Take good care of Ald. Pitcher’s son, Major.”

Crowds followed the parade down Market Street, and every shop and factory window was filled.  Here and there good-byes were shouted from the factories and officers.  The 125th and 84th Battalions were lined up among the road and around the station and lusty cheers were given as the parting battery passed.  At the station there was lots of time for good-byes owing to a delay.  The train was scheduled to leave at 11.35, but it was a few minutes to 12 when it pulled out.  During the wait both bands rendered numerous selections.

BX April 4, 1953

Justice William T. Henderson Dies in Hospital Here

Mr. Justice William Thomas Henderson of the Ontario Court of Appeal and one of Brantford’s best known and most outstanding citizens for more than half a century died in the Brantford general Hospital Thursday afternoon in his 80th year.

His life was interwoven with the legal, civic, industrial, and military life of Brantford from the beginning of the present century until he was appointed to the High Court of Ontario in 1934.  He was next to Mr. Justice Hope in seniority on the Ontario Bench. Although his duties kept him in Toronto much of the time in the last 19 years, he retained his home in Brantford.

Stricken several weeks ago with influenza, he had almost recovered when he suffered a relapse and pneumonia developed.

Mr. Justice Henderson was city solicitor for Brantford from 1898-1934.

A native of Stratford, he was the son of the late Thomas and Katharine Henderson, who was among the pioneers of that district.  He received his early scholastic training in Stratford public schools and collegiate institute and studied law with the late John Idlington, who later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Upon graduating from Osgoode Hall, Mr. Henderson came to Brantford and commenced practice.  He had been here but a short time when the late A.S. Hardy, of the firm of Hardy and Wilkes, became premier of Ontario, and Mr. Henderson was invited to join the firm which became known as Wilkes and Henderson. It was during the early years of this partnership that he was city solicitor.  Later, he became senior member of the firm of Henderson and Boddy.

He was appointed a judge of the High Court of Ontario in 1934 and subsequently became a member of the appellate division.

Prior to his appointment to the Bench, he was associated with many important cases, including appearance before the Privy Council in London, England. He was active in many municipal spheres in Brantford and was associated with a number of local industries.

In the early stages of the First World War, he raised, commanded and took overseas the 54th Battery, the first complete unit to go overseas.  He was later transferred to the command of a divisional ammunition column, and was through the battle of Vimy Ridge.

He was promoted to the rank of major in 1915.

Prominent in Free Masonry, Mr. Justice Henderson was a 32nd Degree Scottish Riter.

The Henderson Survey, the side of many modern homes which sprang up in the housing development since the Second World War, is named after him.

Mrs. Henderson predeceased him in 1944.  Surviving are one sister, M. James Moffat, Napanee; one niece, Mrs. W.J. Nicholson, Langton; three nephews, David H. Smith., Minneapolis, Minn., Thomas J. Moffat, Listowel and James H. Moffat, Montreal.

Mr. Justice Henderson is resting at his home, 127 Brant Avenue, until Monday when the service will be conducted there at 2.30 p.m.  Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX April 4, 1953 - Editorial

Mr. Justice Henderson

With the death of Hon. Mr. Justice W.T. Henderson, Brantford loses a good citizen of the Bench a distinguished jurist.

In the city, long prior to his elevation to the High Court of Ontario, he had been for years an outstanding personality. A native of Stratford, he began the practice of law in Brantford where he soon became and long remained prominent in his profession.  For years, also, he was the City Solicitor, holding that position until he was appointed, in 1935 to the High Court, of which he became a notable member of the appellate division.

His interest in local civic affairs was keen, constant, and to a marked degree personal.  Business also attracted his talent, and it is rather in the nature of a memorial, now, that the Henderson Survey bears his name, by reason of his ownership of the property originally.

As a lawyer he was successful, taking many important cases and, in fact, appearing before the Imperial Privy Council in London.  Fraternal and social life likewise knew his participation.

In the First World War he raised and took overseas, as commanding officer, the 54th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, and subsequently commanded a divisional ammunition column.

Forthright of manner and, at casual glance seemingly stern of mien, His Lordship had a robust sense of humor, and beneath a rugged exterior lay a great kindness of heart.  It was not without abundant reason that his “boys” (as he always called them) of the old 54th invariably, and with affection, called him “Pa” Henderson.

He lived a full life, vigorously and with relish. He was astute and able as an advocate. He was wise and competent as a judge.  He accepted all the responsibilities of citizenship. To record his demise occasions sincere regret.

BX April 8, 1953 

Impressive Last Tribute is Paid Judge Henderson

Members of the Bench and Bar of Brantford and Ontario joined on Monday afternoon with other citizens in paying an impressive tribute to the late Hon. Mr. Justice William T. Henderson. Chief Justices J.W. Pickup and J.C. McRuer were included in the large representation from the Ontario Supreme Court. The service, impressive in its dignity and simplicity, was conducted at the residence on Brant Avenue by Rev. Canon H.F. Appleyard, rector of Grace Anglican Church.

The house, where the catafalque was banked and surrounded by a great array of beautiful floral pieces, was all too small for those who wished to pay a last mark of respect to a man who had served his city and province with distinction.

The honorary pallbearers were: Hon. J.W. Pickup, Chief Justice of Ontario; Chief Justice J.C. McRuer, High Court of Justice for Ontario; Hon. Messrs. Justices R.E. Laidlaw, W.D. Roach, J.A. Hope, J.B. Aylesworth, J. Keiller MacKay, C.W.G. Gibson, all of the Ontario Court of Appeal; Hon. Messrs. Justice D.P.J. Kelly, J.I. Wilson, R.E. Treleaven, W.F. Schroeder, R.I. Ferguson, W.F. Spence, J.L. McLennan, of the Ontario High Court of Justice; Hon. W. Ross Macdonald, Speaker of the House of Commons; Judge D.J. Cowan, E.R. Read, QC; A. G. Hitchon and D. Spencer Large all of Brantford.

The active pallbearers were A.H. Boddy, QC; P.A. Ballachey, QC; W. Dudly Brooks, Frederick Andrews, John R. Dymond and H.E. Willoughby.

Interment was in Farringdon Burial Ground.