Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John and Ann Massey.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 12th, 1916

COALVILLE SOLDIER BROTHERS

ONE DEAD AND THE OTHER WOUNDED

Mr and Mrs John Massey, of 224, Ashby Road, Coalville, had two soldier sons, and have received the sad news that one of these has been killed, and the other seriously wounded.

On May 1st, 1915, their fifth son, Frederick Massey, who was then working at the Snibston Colliery, where his father is also employed, joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, and went to France three days before last Christmas. The news received states that on May 1st, 1916, the first anniversary of his military career, he died in hospital from a gunshot wound in the leg. He was only 18 years of age.

Nurse W. Teevar, sister-in-charge of the No. 5 casualty clearing station, writing on April 30th, stated: “I regret to tell you that Private Massey is in the above hospital. He has been shot in the leg. Everything that can be done is being done for him, and he is receiving every care.”

Another letter, dated May 1st, was as follows: “I regret to tell you that Private Massey died in this hospital this afternoon. His leg was much too badly wounded to hope for his recovery. Everything that could be done was done for him, and his end was most peaceful. If you write to the Graves Registration Committee, they will tell you where he will be buried.”

The soldier who has been wounded is Private Joseph Massey, of the Leicestershire Regiment, aged 23, also formerly a collier at the Snibston pit. He enlisted on November 7th, 1914, and was severely wounded at the Persian Gulf on January 13th. Two letters have been received from him. In the first, he says that as the result of his wounds he has lost his right eye, and the sight of the left is damaged. He also had a bullet through his arm, but the wound has healed. In his second letter, written from Ambala Hospital, India, he says: “I think my left eye will come alright in time, but the right eye I have completely lost. The wound in the arm is alright now. I am having a fine time here. We are having concerts and things nearly every night, so we are not badly off, only it is miserable not being able to go out because it is so hot. I have finished with active service, and I don’t know when I shall get to England, but I am coming in time. They say they can do a lot for the left eye.”

A postcard received by Mr and Mrs Massey on Tuesday stated that their son had just arrived in England.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 4th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Arnold Spencer, the beloved youngest son of T. H. and R. Heward, died “at his post, doing his duty”, somewhere in France, on Tuesday, April 24th, 1917, aged 28.

“Greater love hath no man than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends.”

In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. Frederick Massey, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who died on May 1st, 1916, of wounds received in action in France.

“We often think of days gone by,
When we were all together;
A shadow o’er our lives is cast,
A dear one has gone for ever.
Not dead to those who loved him,
Not lost, but gone before.
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for evermore.”

From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 3rd, 1918.

IN MEMORIAM

In affectionate remembrance of our dear son and brother, Pte. Frederick Massey, Northumberland Fusiliers, who died of wounds on May 1st, 1916.

“He sleeps besides his comrades,
In a distant grave unknown,
But his name is written in letters of love
In the hearts he left at home.”

From his loving Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 2nd, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear Son and Brother, Private Frederick Massey, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who died on May 1st, 1916, of wounds received in action at St. Elor. Aged 18 years.

“I think of him in silence,
No eyes can see me weep,
But, dear, within my heart,
His memory I shall keep,
Unknown to the world he stands,
By my side and whispers
My dear Mother, death cannot divide.”

From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 30th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Massey – In loving memory of our dear son, Private F. Massey, who died of wounds, May 1st, 1915.

“To-day recalls sad memories.”

From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 13/10/2017