Name
Kenneth Edmonds Massey
05/08/1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/10/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
183262
Canadian Machine Gun Corps
15th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 32.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hoddesdon and Rye Park Town Memorial, Hoddesdon, St Catherine and St Paul’s Church Memorial, Hoddesdon
Pre War
Born on 5 August 1888 in Eltham, Kent son of Edmonds and Catherine (McTaggart) Massey and lived in North Park, Eltham in 1891 and later in Yew Arbour, High Street, Hoddesdon. Kenneth emigrated to Canada in 1908, It appears that he intended to "homestead", which would have involved building a house and working land of about 160 acres. He was caught up in "patriotic fervour" when the Great War broke out and set out to do "his bit" for King and Country.
Wartime Service
He had been serving in the 19th St Catherine’s Rifles before the war and enlisted for service with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 16 November 1915 at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A man of fair complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair. and standing at 5ft 7ins tall with a 38.5ins chest. His stated trade was Farmer (Source - Attestation Papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force).
Kenneth was killed in action within a week of landing with Canadian troops in northern France, during the closing stages of the Third Battle of Ypres, known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The "Regret to inform you" letter gives his death as 29.10.17 though other records, including the CWGC, quote 30.10.17.
The letter reads:
"It is with the deepest regret that I have to write to you of your son's death.
He was killed in action yesterday the 29th Oct - His death was instantaneous.
Your son was from my section from the time he came to France & I feel his death very keenly as he proved himself to be a good soldier and man.
His comrades join with me in expressing our deepest & sincere sympathy to you in your great loss.
I remain, Yours very sincerely.
W J Hutcheley - Lieut"
Additional Information
Photo & additional data supplied by Guy Massey.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox. Photo & additional data supplied by Guy Massey.
