The AIF Project

Roland Edward MASSEY

Regimental number293
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
Address'Thurburn', 374 Alfred Street, North Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinMother, Mrs Eliza Jane Massey, 374 Alfred Street, North Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date2 March 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name17th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/34/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A32 Themistocles on 12 May 1915
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll17th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Work on 9 October 1917 at Passchendaele.'
Recommendation date: 14 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 23 March 1919
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)*given name two spellings Roland And Ronald
Medals

Military Medal

'This N.C.O. at PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE on 9th October, 1917, took a Lewis Gun into action and kept it in perfect working order throughout the whole operations in spite of very adverse weather conditions. He took up a commanding position on a flank which had been left exposed and held it in the face of very heavy machine gun fire from both front and flank. By exposing himself he succeeded in bringing fire to bear on all parties of the enemy and helped to prevent them assembling for counter attack at that spoint. When DAIRY WOOD was being cleared he greatly assisted operations by keeping a deadly fire on the enemy as they retired. Casualties caused by this fire were very heavy as as at least 36 bodies could be seen lying about and enemy stretcher parties were busy here for several hours afterwards. He is a very reliable man and has been with the Battalion ever since it came to FRANCE and has been in every operation performed by it. His conduct in the line is always excellent and his assistance as a Lewis Gunner is always valuable.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

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