Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Clarence Everett Harold Dass, known as Harold or Barney, was born - Clarence Everett Robinson - at Marshlands, Christchurch on 19 April 1894 to Alice Maud Robinson who married Frederick Thomas Day in 1896. William Dass had married Ann Jane Robinson (named McMannus on Harold’s marriage certificate), Alice’s mother, in 1883. Ann Jane who was born in Ireland had married English-born William Robinson in the 1860s. Ann Jane and William Robinson came to New Zealand in 1876, with their two daughters – Adelaide and Alice Jane; their son Charles William Robinson may have enlisted with the 5th Lancers in 1888 and later been a Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner. A second son, Albert Edward was born at Lyttelton in 1880. William Robinson may have died in 1881, his funeral taking place at Lyttelton on 8 May. Probably, both William Robinson and William Dass worked at the Lyttelton port. Brought up by his grandparents, Clarence took the Dass name and became a son – the youngest son – of William and Ann Jane Dass. Harold started at Marshlands School ten weeks before his fifth birthday and left when he was 15½ years old. His brother Ernest Dass, who was born in 1893, also attended Marshlands School, and Ethel Janet Dass, the only daughter and the youngest of William and Ann Jane, transferred to Marshlands from Woolston in 1897. Harold was into cycling by November 1912, being allotted his handicap for the Fendalton Sports Club’s Derby. Later in the month he finished second in a splendid finish to the Marshland Cycling Club’s race to New Brighton and back (10 miles). He finished second again in March 1913 in the Marshland Club’s Second-class championship race, while E. Dass (probably Ernest) secured a prize in another event. At the Little River Athletic Sports Club’s annual Boxing Day meeting in 1912, H. Dass was placed second in the Obstacle Race and third in the Sack Race. H. Dass had handicaps for the 880 Yards and One Mile events at the Kaiapoi Sports Carnival on Easter Monday 1914.

On 3 October 1913, both Harold Dass and Ernest Dass were fined 40 shillings for failing to render personal service with the Defence Department, the fines to be reduced to 5 shillings if they registered within seven days. In late July 1914, a numerous gathering of friends, particularly neighbours of Mr W. Dass, Marshland, met to make a presentation to Mr Dass, on the eve of his departure for Geraldine, where he had purchased a larger farm. On presenting Mr Dass with a handsomely mounted walking-stick – inscribed “Presented to Mr W. Dass by Marchland friends, July 29, 1912”, a member of the Waimairi County Council referred in eulogistic terms to the many services rendered by Mr Dass during his eighteen years’ residence in the district, and his successful farming methods. Others spoke of Mr Dass’s inestimable qualities as a neighbour and wished him every success in his new sphere of labour. His farm of about 23 acres in Marshlands, together with homestead and other buildings, was sold by public auction, and a successful clearing sale of live and dead stock was held. So it was that Mr and Mrs Dass moved from Marshland to Gapes Valley near Geraldine, with four of their family – William John (Willie, born 1883), Ethel Janet (born 1888), Ernest (born 1893) and Clarence Everett Harold (born 1894) – in 1914. There, at Gapes Valley, in August 1915, H. Dass was amongst the highest scorers when the Miniature Rifle Club members competed for a trophy.

Clarence Everett Harold Dass was in good condition when he was medically examined at Geraldine on 4 December 1915. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing 142 pounds, he had a chest measurement of 32-35¼ inches, a fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He was free from diseases and in good bodily and mental health. The friends, of Mr and Mrs D, Gapes Valley, met at their residence on 13 December 1915 to bid good-bye to their son Harold, on the eve of his departure for Trentham with the 11thy Reinforcements. The guests, numbering about thirty, spent a most enjoyable evening. Mr Coombs, on behalf of the visitors, wished Mr Dass all good luck and a safe and speedy return. After Mr and Mrs Dass were thanked for their kind hospitality, the evening concluded at a late hour by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and “They are Jolly Good Fellows”. Clarence E. H. Dass, Gapes Valley, was one of the South Canterbury recruits for the eleventh reinforcements (Mounted Rifles), who left Timaru for Trentham on 15 December 1915. He enlisted at Trentham the next day. A farm labourer at Gapes Valley for W. Dass, single and Anglican, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs W. Dass, Gapes Valley, Geraldine. He had belonged to the South Canterbury Infantry Battalion for one year and was still serving.

On 20 March 1916, Trooper H. Dass, of the Eleventh Reinforcements, was tendered a farewell social at Gapes’s Valley Hall, there being a large attendance. “Mr P. Mulvihill, in presenting Trooper Dass with a money-belt, a sleeping-bag and a purse of sovereigns, on behalf of the subscribers, referred to the excellent work the departing soldier had done for the local rifle club, and congratulated him on his decision to enlist. All wished him a safe return. An enjoyable concert programme and dancing formed part of the evening’s proceedings.” Private C. E. H. Dass embarked with the 11th Reinforcements, leaving from Wellington on 1 April 1916 and disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 3 May. The next day, at Tel el Kebir, he was posted to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion (Training Battalion). Admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Tel el Kebir on 17 May 1916 - his condition ‘not yet diagnosed’, he went by Hospital Train to Cairo the next day. As of 20 May 1916, at Cairo, he was suffering from enteritis but improving. After being transferred to the Canterbury Company at Tel el Kebir on 25 May 1916, he embarked at Alexandria for England per the “Nile” on 29 May and disembarked at Devonport on 9 June. He marched out to the Canterbury Battalion on 15 June at Sling and was taken on Strength. Having proceeded overseas for France from Sling on 26 September 1916, he was taken on Strength and joined the 1st Battalion in the Field on 13 October.

He was with his Unit in the Field before being detached to the School of Instruction on 8 September 1917; he rejoined his Battalion on 24 September. He went on leave to the UK on 26 October 1917, rejoining on 9 November. Just three days later he went to hospital, sick, and was admitted firstly to the 2nd New Zealand Field Ambulance then transferred to the 4th Stationary Hospital in France, his condition ‘not yet diagnosed’. It was from the Venereal Hospital that he was discharged on 18 December. But, on 7 January 1918 he was admitted to the 51st General Hospital, again his condition ‘not yet diagnosed’. He was discharged to Base Depot from the VD section there on 29 January. Marching into camp on 8 February 1918, Private Dass was transferred to the 22nd New Zealand Cyclists Corps on 11 February, and a week later he was posted to his Cyclists Battalion from Base. He was promoted to Corporal on 2 May 1918, to complete establishment, then appointed Temporary Sergeant on 23 July, in place of a wounded sergeant and immediately promoted to Sergeant with the New Zealand Cycling Battalion.

On 10 January 1919 Sergeant C. E. H. Dass, 10168, was awarded the Military Medal. ‘Operations during advance east of Cambrai 13th October 11th November 1918. For gallantry and devotion to duty. On 7.11.18 near Autreppe after his officer had been wounded took charge and handled the platoon with great courage, subsequently from going out of action through heavy enemy shell and machinegun fire. On 9.11.18 near Coegnines Chaussee he led a mounted patrol through difficult country although continually fired on and having gained his objective and the information required skilfully extricated the patrol again. He has shown marked skill and fearless devotion throughout the operations.’ [London Gazette, 3 July 1919.] In February 1919, advice was received that honours and awards had been conferred on members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. “Sergeant C E. H. Dass, youngest son of Mr William Dass, Gapes Valley, Geraldine, and brother of Mrs J. A. Hall, Hassell Street, Timaru, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field of action.” ]Timaru Herald, 17 February 1919.] “Advice has been, received by Mrs W. Dass, of Gapes's Valley, that her youngest son, Sergeant C. E. H. Dass, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry. Sergeant Dass was a member of the 11th Reinforcement. He was educated at Marshland School, and was a member of the Marshland Cycling Club, where he distinguished himself in several races.” [Sun, 22 February 1919.] Having proceeded on leave to the UK on leave on 10 October 1918, Sergeant Dass rejoined his Battalion on 28 October. In December 1918, William Dass, farmer, Gapes Valley, Geraldine, had written to the Quartermaster General, NZ Military Forces, Wellington, thus – “Re Sergeant C. E. H. Dass No. 1068 [10168] and Private Albert Robinson No. 49461, I beg to advise you that their allotments have been made payable to Mrs F. Day, who died in Wellington Hospital on Saturday, 30th November, who has been banking their money since they sailed from New Zealand, and as I am the father and step father respectively, I wish that no further payments be made to any of deceased family, whose father Mr T. Day is away also in France, so to protect the three soldiers, I trust that no money will be paid out until they return home. As I am the father of C. E. H. Dass and step father of A. Robinson, I should think that I am next of kin, and that is why I take the liberty to write to you, whom I trust will understand the position. Private T. Day went away with the 22nd Reinforcements but I don’t know his number, but as his wife is now deceased you will know how to treat the payments of the allotments.” [Extracted from military file of Albert Edward Robinson.]

Among the South Canterbury men who returned to New Zealand in May 1919 by the “Paparoa” (Draft No. 246) was Sergeant C. E. H. Dass, M.M., of Geraldine. He had embarked at Glasgow on 1 April 1919. He was discharged on 22 June 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement. Dass had served overseas for over three years and was awarded, in addition to his Military Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He headed to his parents’ new address – 52 Harper Street, Timaru. When Harold Dass and three comrades were welcomed home at Gapes Valley in June 1919, presentations were made to those leaving the district, - Mrs and Mr Thew, and Mrs Dass who was presented with a massive armchair, Mr Dass with a case of Loewe pipes and W. Dass junr. with a Loewe pipe. All the recipients were wished many years of health, wealth and prosperity. Each of the recipients thanked the people for their very handsome presents, and said they regretted leaving the district, but hoped it would not be the last occasion they would meet.

The welcome home social for Sergeant C. E. H. Dass, M.M., and his comrades was held on Friday, 6 June 1919. There was a very large gathering of residents and friends from the Valleys and surrounding districts. Dancing was indulged in until 11 p.m. During an interval a very nice supper which was provided by the ladies, was handed round. After supper Mr W. M. Patrick occupied the chair, and after introducing the guests and making a few appropriate remarks, called on Mr Mulvihill to present each soldier with a massive gold medal from their friends of the two Valleys (Gapes and Beautiful). Mr Mulvihill complimented the men on the services they had rendered to the British Empire and spoke of the honour they had done to the districts to which they belonged, especially complimenting Sergeant Dass on having won his stripes and the Military Medal. During the intervals of the presentation the National Anthem and Marseillaise were played. Sergeant Dass thanked the residents on behalf of himself and his comrades for their very valuable presents, and also the Ladies’ Sewing Guild and Patriotic Committee for all the parcels that had been received at the front, which made them feel nearer home than they actually were. “For they are jolly good fellows,” was sung very heartily by all present, and cheers were given for the boys and their respective families. Sgt Dass and several comrades were guests when the young ladies of Hilton held a social evening in their hall on 9 June 1919.

In January 1920, the Canterbury District Headquarters received a number of war medals from General Headquarters, Defence Department, for presentation in the Canterbury District. Among the recipients of the Military Medal was Sergeant Clarence E. H. Dass, 52 Harper Street, Timaru. When His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, visited Timaru in May 1920, he bestowed the Military Medal on Sergeant C. E. H. Dass. The Prince then shook hands with the Nurses who were on parade, as well as with all the returned soldiers and veterans of other wars, chatting freely with several of them. He also spoke to the Orthopaedic patients who were seated by the rotunda.

Clarence Everett Harold Robinson married Daisy Mitchell in a quiet but pretty wedding at Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Timaru on 29 October 1924. Harold’s sister, Ethel Janet (Dass) Hall lent the bride a hand-embroidered silk tulle veil, her two youngest daughters were the charming little flower girls, and the guests were entertained at her North Street residence in the evening. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Dass left amid showers of confetti, for the north, where the first part of the honeymoon was to be spent. Working initially as a teamster on his return from the war, Harold took up driving in the mid-1920s and had a stint as a baker in the later 1950s. After a few years in Harper Street, Harold and Daisy moved to Harborough Street, then to a flat in Avenue Road in the late 1960s. His father, William Dass, lived with them prior to his death in 1934. Ann Jane Dass died in 1926. Mr H. Dass won first prize in mid-August 1925 at the Timaru Rowing Club’s series of euchre tournaments. He was first again on 7 October at the weekly euchre tourney held in the Bay Hall. In September 1926, he finished fifth in the special euchre tourney held in the Unitarian Hall. June 1930 saw him contributing to the Cancer Campaign fund. In October 1934 Mr and Mrs H. Dass were present at the Timaru Main School Diamond Jubilee ball, Daisy having been a pupil at the school from 1909. Another euchre prize came the way of Mr H. Dass in August 1936 when the Railway Social Club held its fortnightly social, and Mr and Mrs H. Dass also won the Monte Carlo waltz.

In the 1930s Harold joined his wife at the Park Bowling Club, where he was elected a vice-president at the 1939 annual meeting, and again in the years following. He went on to represent the club, with success, in many events. On the first day of the champion of champion pairs in February 1943, the Park pair, H. Dass and N. Earl, “played splendidly all day, and should be hard to dispose of.” Indeed, they prevailed in the final, going through without a loss. Mr Dass was president when the 1943-44 season opened in October. In the 1944-45 season, Harold was the Park Club’s champion singles player. H. Dass was skipped his team to a win when the South Canterbury Returned Services’ Association retained the Kiwi challenge trophy in December 1948, defeating the Christchurch Association in a bowls match. Clarence Edward Harold Dass, who pleaded guilty, was fined £2 and 10/– costs, in January 1940 on a charge of cutting the corner at the intersection of King and Queen Streets. “Senior-Sergeant Hewitt informed the Court that Dass had collided with another vehicle and both had been badly damaged. Defendant explained that he thought that he had plenty of room but the other car had been going too fast. He had 4001 b of bread in his van at the time, but the force of the impact swung the vehicle to the opposite direction in which it had been travelling.”

Medically examined on 23 July 1940 at Timaru and attesting for service in World War Two on 25 July 1940, Clarence Everett Harold Dass entered camp at Timaru on 1 August. He was now a motor driver, married and residing in Timaru. His next-of-kin was his wife – Mrs Daisy Dass, 13 Harborough Street, Timaru. He was promoted to Corporal on 11 September. Dass served in New Zealand only, from 1 August 1940 to 31 August 1941, and on discharge he was awarded the War Medal, 1939-45, and the NZ War Service Medal. It had been found that he was suffering from lumbago, a constitutional disability caused by working in an atmosphere of changing temperature. He would probably be subject to recurrent attacks and was ruled permanently unfit, with further treatment recommended.

Clarence Everett Harold Dass (Barney) died at Timaru Hospital (of 94 Avenue Road, Timaru) on 14 January 1970, aged 75 years. He was buried in the services section of Timaru Cemetery, a services plaque marking his grave. Members of both the South Canterbury R.S.A. Association and the Park Bowling Club attended at the cemetery. Daisy died on 16 February 1985 and was buried with him. By his Will signed in May 1954, Harold left the whole of his estate to his wife Daisy Dass, appointing her as sole executrix. Daisy was survived by two of her three sisters.

“The residents of Marshland take a keen interest in the welfare and doings of soldiers who are in any way connected with the district, which has made a splendid response to the Empire’s call for help. Evidence of this may be seen on a visit to the public hall, on the walls of which hang framed photographic groups of no fewer than forty-one men on active service, and more are to follow.” [Lyttelton Times, 15 September 1916.] At the farewell social to another serviceman on 12 September, opportunity was taken to unveil a photographic group of six Marshland soldiers on active service abroad, Private H. Dass (Eleventh Reinforcements) one of them. Harold’s brother Ernest was to have been farewelled on that occasion but was unavoidably absent. On 24 April 1917, a patriotic gathering was held in the Marshland School to unveil thirteen additional names on the ex-scholars’ Roll of Honour and to celebrate the second anniversary of Anzac Day. Addresses on the deeds of the Anzacs, and of the lessons to be derived therefrom, were delivered by the Presbyterian, Anglican and Methodist ministers and Father Seymour. The unveiling of the school Roll of Honour was performed by Mrs J. W. Dobby amid cheers and the singing of the National Anthem. The list of 34 names on the board included H. Dass (Harold) and E. Dass (Ernest). The Marshland Ladies’ Patriotic Guild, having raised funds to send tins of Christmas comforts to Marshland men on active service, posted parcels in late August 1917 to a large number of men, Private Eric Dass and Private H. Dass among them. The list of the ex-scholars of the Marshland School who were, or had been, on active service abroad, as of March 1919, included Harold Dass and E. Dass (deceased). An important function was held in the Marshland school in early October 1919, when parents, friends, and scholars assembled to do honour to ex-scholars of the school who had taken part in the great war. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem, after which two Honours Boards were unveiled. Among the fifty-five names recorded were Harold Dass and Ernest Dass. A marble tablet, placed between the two boards and containing the names of ten ex-scholars – Ernest Dass one of them – who had made the supreme sacrifice, was also unveiled.

From 13 January 1917, the name Private H. C. E. Dass was recorded regularly in the Temuka Leader’s Active Service List of those from the Geraldine district who had volunteered to serve the Empire. In July 1941, Mr and Mrs H. Dass and Harold’s brother Willie contributed to the Million-Pound Appeal towards the Patriotic Fund. Harold’s oldest brother, William John Dass, was a farmer at Gapes Valley when his name was drawn in the fifth ballot in March 1917. In April he was classed as fit only for Home Service and his appeal was dismissed. In the same month, the Gapes Valley Guild acknowledged 11 shillings 6 pence – the proceeds of a tea-cosy presented by Mrs Dass. “Private Eric Dass, reported wounded on June 8th, is the second son of William Dass, of Gapes Valley, and is well known in Lyttelton and Marshland Districts. Private Dass was born in Lyttelton 31 years ago, and educated at the Woolston and Papanui schools. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in farming in the Marshland district, where he was well respected. Rifleman Ernest Dass, reported dangerously ill, suffering from gunshot wounds, fracturing the right thigh and the lower part of the left leg, is the fourth son of William Dass, Gapes Valley, Geraldine. He is 23 years of age and was educated at the Marshland school. Rifleman Dass was well known in cycling circles, and was a member of the Marshland Cycling Club for some years. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in farming at Gapes Valley, and left with the Eighteenth Reinforcements.” [Timaru Herald, 4 July 1917.] Private Ernest Dass who had left with the 11th Reinforcements, died of wounds on 2 July 1917 at Boulogne.

In May 1920 a memorial to fallen soldiers was unveiled in memory of soldiers from Gapes Valley and Beautiful Valley, who gave their lives in the great war. The memorial is in a picturesque spot on the boundary between the two valleys, and on the main Geraldine to Fairlie road, about six miles from Geraldine. Inscribed on it in gold lettering are the words: “Greater Love Hath No Man. Erected by the residents of Gapes Valley and Beautiful Valley in memory of those who fell in the great war, 1914-1919.” Then follow the names of the deceased soldiers — one of them Private E. Dass – that is Ernest, a brother of Harold Dass, a returned soldier who was present at the unveiling ceremony. When the Tycho Memorial was unveiled on 7 July 1921, Mr C. H. Dass was one of the returned men who formed a firing party which went out from Timaru.

Ernest Dass, a brother of Clarence Everett Harold Dass, was born on 28 April 1893 at Christchurch and died on 2 July 1917 of wounds received in the Battle of Messines – the fourth son of William Dass whom he had named as next-of-kin. Ernest may well have been born to Alice Robinson, too, and brought up as one of his grandparents (Ann Jane and William Dass). Alice Day (née Robinson) and her sons inserted a memorial notice in the Lyttelton Times on 1 July 1918. James Eric Ward Dass, known as Eric, was born in 1885, the second son of William and Ann Jane Dass, and having married in 1905, remained farming in Marshland when the family moved to Gapes Valley; he too served in World War One and was wounded on 8 June 1917. Albert Edward Robinson, the son of Mrs William Dass (formerly Robinson), served with the New Zealand Forces in World War Two and died from the effects of his war service on 21 June 1921 at the Cashmere Military Hospital. He was a half-brother of Eric, Ernest and Harold Dass.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [06 August 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5922 0031884) [10 August 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [15 & 19 April 2025]; School Admission records (Canterbury Branch NZSG) [10 August 2016]; Timaru Herald, 15 January 1970 (Timaru District Library) [04 August 2016]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru district Council) [10 August 2016]; Globe, 7 May 1881 [x 2]; Press, 7 & 26 November 1912, 1 & 3 August 1914, 24 February 1919, 19 March 1919, 6 October 1919, 6 December 1948; 18 February 1985, Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1913, 8 April 1914, 6 August 1915, 27 March 1916, 15 September 1916, 28 April 1917, 30 August 1917, 1 July 1918, 24 February 1919, 26 January 1920, Star, 3 October 1913, 29 December 1913, 31 July 1914, 22 February 1919, Sun, 1 August 1914, 16 September 1916, 22 February 1919, 24 January 1920, 18 & 29 May 1920, Timaru Herald, 9 & 22 December 1915, 14 March 1917, 19 & 23 April 1917, 4 July 1917, 17 February 1919, 5 May 1919, 13 & 14 June 1919, 18 & 29 May 1920, 8 July 1921, 8 November 1924, 21 August 1925, 8 October 1925, 14 September 1926, 13 June 1930, 23 October 1934, 17 August 1936, 1 September 1939, 26 January 1940, 30 August 1940, 26 July 1941, 6 September 1941, 15 February 1943, 18 October 1943, 14 August 1944, 22 August 1945, Temuka Leader, 6 January 1917, 15 March 1917, 5 July 1917, 18 & 25 February 1919, 17 June 1919, 3 June 1920, Evening Post, 10 & 24 February 1919, Dominion, 11 February 1919, 1 May 1919 (Papers Past) [07 February 2018; 10 February 2020; 20 & 22 February 2021; 25 July 2021; 16 March 2022; 01 August 2022; 22 April 2023; 25 March 2023; 15, 16 & 20 April 2025]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [17 April 2025]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections – Record number TU23/1970) [17 April 2025]; New Zealand Great War 1914-1918 (https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=61630) [18 April 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record

Related Documents

• DASS Clarence Everett Harold - newspaper clippings (pdf, 92.7 KB updated 02-May-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS