Harry Dansey was the older brother of my grandmother Lucy Kusabs née Dansey and the brother of Capt George Dansey and Maj Roger Dansey both members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion WW1.
Prior to enlistment both Harry and Roger had attended Otago University where they studied engineering. This came in good use during his service on the Western Front where Harry supervised the construction of railway to transport troops and munitions to the front. For this valuable service under fire he amongst others was decorated by his seniors.
After the war he returned to his business as a land surveyor.
He was living in Rotorua in his retirement and was approached by Rotorua citizens to contest the mayoralty against the very popular long time serving mayor Tommy Jackson. Harry was successful but before he could make a difference he passed away while in office. His deputy Prentice Kusabs another of my uncles succeeded him as mayor.
He married Winifred Barter and together raised four children.
Harry is buried with brothers George and Roger and his son Harry(Pip) at the Muruika Soldiers Cemetery Ohinemutu
Harry Dansey was the older brother of my grandmother Lucy Kusabs née Dansey and the brother of Capt George Dansey and Maj Roger Dansey both members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion WW1.
Prior to enlistment both Harry and Roger had attended Otago University where they studied engineering. This came in good use during his service on the Western Front where Harry supervised the construction of railway to transport troops and munitions to the front. For this valuable service under fire he amongst others was decorated by his seniors.
After the war he returned to his business as a land surveyor.
He was living in Rotorua in his retirement and was approached by Rotorua citizens to contest the mayoralty against the very popular long time serving mayor Tommy Jackson. Harry was successful but before he could make a difference he passed away while in office. His deputy Prentice Kusabs another of my uncles succeeded him as mayor.
He married Winifred Barter and together raised four children.
Harry is buried with brothers George and Roger and his son Harry(Pip) at the Muruika Soldiers Cemetery Ohinemutu