About Ian Henderson
Lived 1896 – 1918 (aged 21). Ian Henderson was a British flying ace.
Captain Ian Henry David Henderson, MC (2 October 1896 – 21 June 1918) was a British flying ace of the First World War, credited with seven aerial victories.
Early life Henderson was the only son of Lieutenant General Sir David Henderson, who served as Director-General of Military Aeronautics from 1914 to 1917, and as General Officer Commanding, Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from 1914 to 1915, and his wife Dame Henrietta Caroline (née Dundas).
Military career Henderson graduated from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, on 13 January 1915, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) regiment. He was seconded to the RFC, and was appointed a flying officer on 21 August 1915.
He was promoted to lieutenant in his regiment on 21 January 1916, but had to wait until 1 June before receiving the same from the RFC. On 1 July he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain. Henderson was assigned to No. 19 Squadron, flying the B.E.12, gaining his first two victories in August,
Henderson had to wait until November for his third victory, gained while flying a SPAD S.VII. when he was re-appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain. However, on 21 June 1918, he and Harold Redler were killed in a flying accident, when their Airco DH.9 crashed at Turnberry. He is buried at Doune Cemetery, Girvan, Ayrshire.
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Important facts
People in Ian Henderson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ian Henderson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ian Henderson?
British World War I flying ace
When was Ian Henderson born?
Ian Henderson was born on 2 October 1896 in London.
When did Ian Henderson die?
Ian Henderson died on 21 June 1918 in Ayr.
What was Ian Henderson's occupation?
Ian Henderson was a flying ace.
What nationality was Ian Henderson?
Ian Henderson was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Ian Henderson (RAF officer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ian Henderson. https://biography.guide/ian-henderson-flying-ace/
MLA: "Ian Henderson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ian-henderson-flying-ace/.
Chicago: "Ian Henderson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ian-henderson-flying-ace/.
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