Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Henderson
Canadian Scottish Regiment

But, philosophical as he was, Major Henderson never accepted Canada’s Maple Leaf flag and wouldn’t attend any function where it was flown. To the end he stayed with the Canadian Ensign.

(Times Colonist, 4 Jan 1969, 3)

Born on 4 May 1898 in Vernon, British Columbia, Eric Arthur Henderson was long-time employee of the Bank of Montreal, a First World War veteran, and commanding officer of the Canadian Scottish Regiment since 1938. He had enlisted in the 88th Battalion as a lieutenant in December 1916 and served five months on the front with the 7th Battalion until he was wounded in September 1918.

Henderson resumed his banking career and continued militia service with the 88th Regiment, redesignated the Canadian Scottish Regiment with the militia reorganization in 1920. He became acting commanding officer of the 1st Battalion in July 1938 and mobilized for active service at the start of the Second World War. In January 1940, the former commanding officer of the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel D.R. Sargent who had retired to the reserves in 1938, took over the 1st Battalion.

Henderson reverted to second-in-command and went overseas with the Canadian Scottish in August 1941. Too old for active service, he returned to Canada and was transferred to the reserve battalion. Determined to contribute, he studied radio telegraphy and joined the merchant marine as a wireless radio officer.  

He died on 3 January 1969 in Victoria, British Columbia.