Letter · 22 Nov 1915 · Cairo, Egypt
An engineering feat
IWI: Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Tuhourangi HAPŪ: Ngāti Rauhoto WAKA: Te Arawa. Harry was born at Taupo, went to primary school in Rotorua, then studied in Auckland at Auckland Grammar. He completed his degree in engineering at Canterbury University. For his full bio, see: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3d2/dansey-harry-delamere Here is Te Ara's summary of his war service: Harry Dansey was nearly 40 years old when war broke out. Despite having a reserved occupation, he enlisted. He sailed in the second draft of the Maori Contingent, and held the rank of second lieutenant. On arrival in Egypt he was posted to the Otago Infantry Regiment as a machine-gun specialist. In the reorganisation that followed the Gallipoli campaign, he was transferred to the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. Promoted to lieutenant, he served as a Lewis machine-gun officer in France. By January 1917 Harry had been mentioned in dispatches and was appointed second-in-command of a company in the field. His engineering qualifications were to prove invaluable. The following month, seconded for duty as II ANZAC Corps (later XXII Corps) tramway superintendent, he was placed in charge of railway construction and transport organisation for the battle area. The evacuation of wounded troops was also his responsibility. He was promoted to captain in April, and in January 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross for 'distinguished services in the field'. From 2 October until 26 December 1918 he performed the duties of bridging officer, XXII Corps.
Extracts from this letter
"I am sending you a photograph of myself, Rice Kohere (you remember the grey haired officer from the East Coast) and Kaa taken on camels on a visit to the Pyramids."
"You have read so much of these wonderful ancient monuments that I shall not say anything beyond the deep impression they made upon me purely from an engineering point of view."
"The enormous proportions of this huge monument are better realised when it is known that it actually covers at its base an area of 13 acres or so – the distance from your place to the post office is 1 and a half miles..."
"The engineering skill shown in the construction of the foundations is little short of a miracle."
