Letter · 30 Sep 1916 · The Somme, France
The death of my greatest friend
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.
Extract from this letter
"When I arrived at our present camping ground, I was greatly affected by the sudden news of my greatest friend here. Jack O’Neill having been killed this morning just as he was leaving the Front Lines. He was temporarily attached to one of the other machine gun companies. He is a very deep loss to me and also to us all. You know Mr. O’ Neill but since you met him he had developed into a very fine specimen of manhood – a more sterling chap could not be met with in a lifetime. It is at such moments when such fine fellows are killed that even the strongest of those spared are oft to ponder over the irreparable losses."
