Colin Henderson was born in Eastry, Kent on 1 January 1914, the son of Maxwell Hume and Beatrice Henderson (née Stride). On 25 April 1931, Naval Cadet Colin Henderson was appointed to the battleship HMS ROYAL OAK. He was promoted to Midshipman (E) on 1 January 1932 and, on 14 January 1932 he was appointed to the Royal Naval Engineering College at Keyham ‘for the Engineering Course’. He was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant (E) on 1 May 1934. On completion of his engineering training, he was appointed to the cruiser HMS CAPETOWN on the China Station on 20 July 1936.

He was promoted to Lieutenant (E) on 16 May 1937 and was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN for submarine training on 5 September 1938 and he was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN ‘for Submarines‘ on 16 December 1938. He was then appointed to HMS THETIS – standing by whilst completing. During the Acceptance Sea Trial there was a problem with the trim and during the investigations a torpedo tube rear door was opened whilst the bowcap was open. This resulted in the forward compartments being flooded and the submarine sinking. During the efforts to rescue the crew and passengers a total of only four escaped before the submarine finally sank with the loss of ninety-nine Officers, Ratings and Civilian personnel. Colin Henderson died in the accident.

Colin Henderson is buried in the mass grave at Holyhead.