ON SERVICE.
NEWS OF SOME NEW ZEALANDERS.
LATE APPOINTMENTS.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 8th December. Mr. F. Hellaby (Auckland), who has been a member of the British section of the New Zealand Force at Bulford, is about to receive a commission in Kitchener's Army. Mr. J. H. Massey (Invercargill), son of Mr. H. A. Massey, will also probably get his commission through the O.T.C. (Inns of Court). He has been reading for the Bar. -Evening Post, 12/1/1915.
On Service
Second-lieutenant J. H. Massey, of the Royal Field Artillery, is reported wounded. Mr Massey is the son of Mr H. A. Massey (Invercargill), whose brother, who also held a commission in the Royal artillery, was killed some weeks ago. -Otago Daily Times, 26/10/1916.
Social Notes
Lieut. J. H. Massey, R.F.A., son of Mr H. A. Massey, the well-known timber merchant, has been promoted to Captain. -Southern Cross, 1/6/1918.
Captain j. H. Massey, R.F.A. (Invercargill), who is reported missing, is a son of Mr. H. A. Massey, and was at Jesus College, Cambridge, studying law when the war broke out. After joining up with the New Zealand British secttion at Bulford, he got his commission through the Inns of Court O.T.C. -Evening Post, 11/9/1918.
Social Notes
There are many people in Invercargill who will be interested to hear how Captain John Massey, elder son of Mr and Mrs H. A. Massey, met his death in France. Captain Massey was in the Royal Artillery, and was for months reported missing. No definite information could be got as to whether he was dead or alive, although everything that possibly could be done was done to try and find out what had become of him. At last news came from the War Office that he had been killed, and giving details of how bravely he had fought. He had been in charge of a section between the Ailette and the Aisne. When the Germans broke through, he was magnificent; he fought to the end, and most of his officers and men perished with him. General Berthelot awarded him the Croix de Guerre with palms, which was sent to his parents. This is another name to add to the list of Southland heroes. His brother, Lieut. George Massey, of the Royal Engineers, was killed in France in the early part of the war. Our sympathy goes out to Mr and Mrs Massey in their sad bereavement, but it must be a comfort to them that their sons have given up their young lives in such a noble cause of freedom and humanity —
“To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better, Than in facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his gods?” -Southern Cross, 22/11/1918.
CAPTAIN MASSEY
REFERENCES IN WAITAKIAN
In the latest number of the Waitakian, the magazine of the Waitaki Boys’ High School, there appear further details of the death of Captain J. H. Massey, M.C., son of Mr H. A. Massey, of Invercargill. Some of the details have already appeared in the Southland Times but the article in the Waitakian includes some additional details of the honours conferred on the battery commanded by Captain Massey at the time of his heroic death. The article is as follows:
We have received further details of the splendid service and heroic death of Captain John Hamon Massey, M.C. When the war broke out he was an undergraduate of Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was preparing for the law. Before he joined the Inns of Court Officers’ Training Corps, he graduated B.A. at Cambridge, and then received his commission in the R.F.A. In June, 1915, he went on active service to France, and was soon afterwards wounded and buried by a shell hurst. On recovery he resumed service and finally, after making an heroic stand with his battery, was killed at Pontavert, Aisne, in May, 1918.
It was in May, 1918, that the Fifth Battery, under the command of Captain Massey, performed its heroic work in a last stand to the north of the Aisne. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in “The Official History of the War,” describes the great fight in the following words: —
Major-General Heneker’s 8th Division occupied the centre of the British lines. This Division, like the others, bad been sent to the Aisne for a rest cure after its terrific exertions on the Somme. The British Field Batteries were mostly to the north of the river, and were geratly damaged by the preliminary German fire. They were accurately located by the enemy and were smothered in poison and steel. . . . Many outstanding deeds of valour are recorded in all the British Divisions during this truly terrible experience, but two have been immortalised by their inclusion in the Orders of the Day of General Berthelot, the Brigadier-General in Command. The first concerned the magnificent conduct of the 5th Battery, R.F.A., which, under its commander, Captain Massey, stuck to its work while piece after piece was knocked out by an overwhelming shower of German shells. When all the guns were gone, Captain Massey, with Lieutenants Large and Button, and a handful of survivors, fought literally to the death with Lewis guns and rifles. One man with a rifle, who fought his way back, and three unarmed gunners who were ordered to retire, were all who escaped to tell the heroic tale.
For a unit to receive individual mention in a “Special Order of the Day” is looked upon as a very signal honour. The 5th Battery received many such mentions for their historic fight. Lieutenant-General Sir R. H. K. Butler, K.C.M.G., C.B., Commanding 3rd Army Corps, after giving a long account of the Battery’s action on May 27, and frequently mentioning Captain Massey, concludes: —
The heroic resistance of this Battery had a great influence upon the issue of the battle. Its gallant conduct deserves to be mentioned as an example, and does great honour to the 8th Division.
An unusual tribute was paid to the 5th Battery and the 2nd Battalion of the South Devons by a special parade of the 8th Corps being held in their honour in the square of Mont St. Eloi, where the handful of survivors of each unit occupied a prominent position in the centre. Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Hunter Weston attended with his staff, and after reading the “citation” before mentioned of General Berthelot, Commanding the 5th French Army, spoke with high appreciation of the self-sacrifice and courage of the two units, and announced the honours the French had awarded them. These honours were as follows: -
The Battery had the Croix de Guerre conferred upon it, to be placed on their flag; the guns were thenceforth to be decorated with a similar Cross, about a foot long; the officers and men of the Battery were authorised to wear for all time a piece of the distinctive ribbon of the decoration on the sleeve of the tunic; and the Battery was named the “Croix de Guerre troupe.” Captain Massey and Lieutenants Large and Button also received the Croix de Guerre, with the addition of palms. It may be mentioned that Captain Massey was recommended for the V.C. The papers were sent in in June, 1918, but in March, 1919, were returned to the Battery with a reference to a certain paragraph and section, which implied that the deed was right but the time of sending in was not. -Southland Times, 22/12/1920.
SELWYN COLLEGE
NEW WING OPENED
IMPOSING COLLEGIATE HOSTEL
YESTERDAY’S MEMORABLE CEREMONY (excerpt)
THE BROTHERS. Before unveiling the memorial tablet in honour of Captain John Hamon Massey and Lieutenant George Hocken Massey, Sir James Allen gave a most impressive account of the distinguished war service and ultimate sacrifice of the brothers, whose names are indelibly recorded in the fine hall which bears their names.
Sir James said, that, because of the traditions recorded, which belonged to Selwyn College and which would be handed on for all time, he valued very highly the opportunity of unveiling the tablet. The tablet would record a very generous gift, which had enabled the hall to be provided for University students who would find a home at the college during their University career. Much more than that, it would remain as a perpetual memorial of a mother’s and sister’s love. If no other traditions than generosity and love were recorded the value of these could not be overestimated. There were, however, inscribed on the tablet, examples of devotion to duty, courage, and self-sacrifice in the interest of country and fellow-countrymen, which he hoped would be pondered over by those who came here and be absorbed into their very being. They would note that the hall was to be known as the “Brothers’ Hall.” This name was the choice of Mrs and Miss Massey, who had provided the hall, and he only wished they were present with them that day to christen the hall themselves. No better name could have been selected, for, as he saw it, brotherly love in its wide interpretation might be looked upon as a thing to be cultivated amongst all members of their community. Those who came to Selwyn College, with this reminder ever before them, rnight render great service as prophets of this wholesome life.
“The two brothers whose names appear on the tablet were born at Avenal, Invercargill — John on June 24, 1893, and George on April 23, 1895. Both were at Selwyn some years ago,” continued Sir James. “It is fitting that something should at this time be said about their lives and deaths. John Hamon Massey, when the war broke out, was an undergraduate at Jesus College, Cambridge. He enlisted, received a commission in the Royal Field Artillery, and at the beginning of 1915 went to France, in 1916 he was buried by a shell burst; and was wounded. On recovering, he again went to France, and remained at the front until his death. In March and April, 1918, his battery — the 5th of the 8th Division— took part in the fierce fighting during the retreat from St Quentin and the stand before Amiens. At the end of May, 1918, the battery was holding a position north of the River Aisne, and on May 26 and 27, the officer commanding the battery being away, Captain J. H. Massey was for the time being in command. Fierce fighting developed, and in the last stage the Germans were threatening the flank of the battery position. Captain Massey, realising the situation, pushed off in an endeavour to save the flank. Little more was heard of him or his team. One gunner on his return from captivity reported Captain Massey as fighting to the last and firing a Lewis gun alone. A sergeant, who was captured, said he saw him in the afternoon lying unconscious in a German dressing station shot in many places. So far as is known, he died of his wounds at Pontavert Aisne, May 27, 1918. The day after to-morrow will be the twelfth memorial of his death. His body was discovered in 1927, buried alone on the spot where his battery was surrounded by the Germans.
“Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in the Official History of the War, referring to the outstanding deeds of valour during the terrific fighting, writes; “Two have been immortalised by their inclusion in the orders of the day of the French general, Berthelot. The 'General Order’ in French, dated 1 July 16, 1918, after referring to the violent bombardment and destruction of the battery guns, says; 'The enemy, after having opened a barrage fire on the line attacked on the flank the position occupied by the battery. Captain J. H. Massey, commanding the battery, armed with a machine gun at the head of a detachment of survivors, counter-attacked at once, aided by two other lieutenants. This valiant detachment was wiped out in the unequal stiuggle, one man with a gun and three unarmed gunners were all who escaped. The heroic resistance of this battery had a great influence on the rest of the combat. Its valiant conduct deserves to be cited as an example, and was a great honour for the 8th Division of British Artillery.’ Upon Captain Massey the French conferred the Croix de Guerre; avec palme, this being the highest grade of the honour. He was also granted the M.C, for a brave deed at the Battle of Loos in 1915. Major J. C. Griffiths, M.C., who commanded the battery, says of Captain Massey; ‘He was a first-class organiser. I count it one of the privileges of my life to have known him. I shall always remember him for his many gifts and steady ripening of powers, the gilt of friendship, a rare delicacy of scruple, and sterling courage. Brave, affectionate, and soldierly, he drew to himself the trust and admiration of those who knew him. He loved his men, and they him. He was one of those few to whom it was given to leave footprints on the sands of time.'
“George Hocken Massey, the brother, joined the Royal Field Artillery in February, 1915; proceeded to France on May 13, and remained there till he was killed on June 27, 1916. His battery moved to the Somme in June, 1916, when the preliminary bombardment of the Somme offensive was in progress. Sandbags were needed for defensive purposes, and George went in charge of a party to secure more. Whilst engaged in this he was exposed, and a piece of shell struck him on the left breast, and killed him instantaneously He was buried in the Mancourt Military Cemetery.
“I conclude my remarks by inviting your attention to the passage from the Book of Maccabees, which Mrs Massey desired to be placed on the tablet," concluded the speaker. “It reads: ‘ Thus these men died an example of a noble courage and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men but unto all their nation.’ ” -Evening Star, 26/5/1930.
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