Private Cleland Peter Harper Henson
Pte. Henson was born September 9, 1917 in Dresden, Ontario. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Henson and reported to be the brother of Pte. Jehu William Josiah Henson, a descendent of the Rev. Josiah Henson. During his early years he worked as a Race Horse trainer before working as a butcher. He also worked as a Railway Porter before enlisting in the military. Henson worked under the Natural Resources Mobilization Act (N.R.M.A.) from October 9, 1940 to November 7, 1940.
He then enlisted with the Kent Regiment on September 18, 1941 in Chatham, Ontario where he completed his Basic Training. He served with the Infantry for a year before he requested a transfer to the Paratroops. Henson graduated from his Parachute Course on October 1, 1943 at Camp Shilo, Manitoba. He was a very proud Paratrooper and it was said he conducted himself with confidence and charisma.
On February 25, 1944, Henson reported for duty to serve with 1 Canadian General Reinforcement Unit overseas and embarked for the UK on January 12, 1945 and parachuted into Germany on March 24, 1945 during Operation Varsity where he saw action. He returned to Canada on June 24, 1945 with the intention of serving in the Pacific Theatre, but by then the war was almost over and he returned to civilian life on November 17, 1945. Henson died in Flint, Michigan on November 29, 1980.
