Lives of the First World War

Major General Henderson (1862 - 1921) was born and educated in Glasgow. He joined the Army, receiving his commission in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In 1911, aged 49, Henderson learned to fly (he is believed to have been the world's oldest pilot at the time). He was appointed Director-General of Military Aeronautics in 1913 and assumed command of the Royal Flying Corps in the field on the outbreak of war in 1914. Henderson's combination of interests and expertise ensured that the Royal Flying Corps played a leading part in intelligence gathering and reconnaissance throughout the First World War. Henderson returned to London as Director-General of Military Aeronautics in February 1916. In 1917 he was seconded to General Jan Christian Smuts, who had been charged with reporting on Britain's air policy in the light of German fixed bombing attacks on British cities.

In 1911, aged 49, Sir David learned to fly in a Bristol Boxkite aircraft - RAF Museum