HENDERSON, Geoffrey Koeppen
| Service Numbers: | 5648, Commissioned Officer, S69070 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | Volunteer Defence Corps (SA) |
| Born: | St Peters, South Australia , 26 July 1893 |
| Home Town: | Tintinara, The Coorong, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer and Grazier |
| Died: | South Australia, Australia, 13 October 1962, aged 69 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Naval Military and Air Force Club of SA - Medal Room, Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board, St. Peters East Adelaide Public School Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5648 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 5648, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1 | |
| 27 Jun 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 5648, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Barambah embarkation_ship_number: A37 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Oct 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 5 Jan 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 15 Feb 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 17 Mar 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, 'The Winter Offensive' - Flers/Gueudecourt winter of 1916/17, For good work and devotion to duty during the night 24-25/2/17 in Stormy Trench N.E. of Guedecourt. He was in command of covering party detailed to assist bombing party. He showed great courage and set a splendid example to the men under his command. | |
| 24 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 Aug 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Mar 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Commissioned Officer, 48th Infantry Battalion, Dernancourt/Ancre | |
| 1 Jan 1919: | Honoured Military Cross, For consistent good work and devotion to duty during period 25.2.18 to 16.9.18. Lieut. Henderson was respoinsible for the supply of Ammunition and food to his Battalion during the heavy fighting near Dernancourt in March and April. Though exposed to heavy shell fire he carried out this duty in a highly satisfactory manner; since June of this year he has carried out the duties of Brigade Intelligence Officer. He kept in clsoe touch with the situation during the advance on Proyart 8th August and again on Sept. 18 when the Brigade captured the Out-post Line of the Hindenburg System west of Bellenglise. This work had to be carried out under heavy fire and the information was of the greatest value in carrying out the operations to a successful conclusion. | |
| 11 Dec 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 5648, 48th Infantry Battalion, Owing to "Cessation of Hostilities" |
World War 2 Service
| 31 Mar 1942: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, S69070, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA) | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 31 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, S69070 | |
| 15 Feb 1946: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Dominic's Priory College
Geoffrey Koeppen Henderson, son of William Hall and Clara Emily Henderson, was born on the 26th of July 1893 in St Peters, South Australia. He had two sisters Louise and Vera Clare. He was educated at St Peter’s College in Adelaide where he completed cadets, and he was a member of the Tintinara Rifle Club. Geoffrey worked as a farmer and grazier near Tintinara before the war.
On the 19th of January 1916, he enlisted at the age of 22 years old and 6 months. His physical description on his Attestation Papers were that he was 5 ft 7 1/2 inches, 150 lbs. and his chest was 38 1/2 inches, he also had perfect eyesight. Geoffrey had fair skin and hair, as well as blue eyes. He nominated his religion as Church of England.
While training in Adelaide he completed NCO training school and was promoted to Acting Corporal in May 1916. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on the 27th of June 1916 on board HMAT A37 Barambah to reinforce the 10th Infantry Battalion.
Geoffrey disembarked at Plymouth 25th August 1916 and marched in to Perham Training Camp. On the 14th of October, Geoffrey Koeppen then proceeded overseas to France. He reverted to ranks 16th October 1916 as he joined the 1st Australian Division Base Depot in Etaples.
He was taken on strength with the 48th Battalion 31st October 1916 and was promoted to Lance Corporal the following month followed by Temporary Corporal in December. Geoffrey had his rank of Corporal confirmed on 5th of January 1917, and after only a month, he was promoted to Sergeant on the 15th of February.
On the day of the 17th of March 1917, he was awarded a Military Medal for his hard work, bravery and devotion during his duties during the nights of February 24th-25th 1917. On this night, he was placed on a stormy trench northeast of Gueudecourt, France and oversaw a covering party. Throughout all of this he showcased a great amount of bravery which set him as a role model for the men who were under his command.
On the 24th of April 1917, Geoffrey was promoted to be the Second Lieutenant for the 48th Infantry Battalion and after a few months, on the 7th of August, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
On the 1st of January 1919, Geoffrey achieved a Military Cross “awarded for his consistent good work and devotion during the time from the 25th of February 1918 to the 16th of September 1918. Showing great responsibility in supplying ammunition and food to his Battalion during the battle occurring near Dernancourt in March and April. Though exposed to heavy shell fire he carried out this duty in a highly satisfactory manner; since June this year [1918] he carried out the duties of a Brigade Intelligence Officer. He kept in close contact with the situation during the advance on Proyart 8th of August and again on 18th of September, when the Brigade captured the out-post Line of the Hindenburg System west of Bellenglise. This work had to be carried out under heavy fire and the information was of the greatest value in carrying out the operations to a successful conclusion”.
On the 9th of September 1919, he was returned to Australia. Two months after on the 11th of December, his appointment was terminated. In 1921 he married Dorothy Fearon and they had one daughter Nancy the same year.
Geoffrey Koeppen then proceeded to enlist and serve in the Second World War enlisting on the 31st of March 1942 and then after 4 years, he was discharged on the 15th of February 1946.
He passed due to unknown reasons on the 13th of October, 1962 and was buried at North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia. His wife Dorothy passed away in 1967.
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