Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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8/1242   Private Robert John Glassey
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 23/03/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Otago Regiment (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth: 01/05/1895
Died: 09/08/1915 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 20
Summary      
Robert John Glassey was the son of Robert Burns and Susan Glassey. Robert was born on 1st May 1895 in Clogher, County Tyrone. The 1901 census records Robert John as 6 years old. His father was a farmer. The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1901. Private Glassey was part of the third draft of reinforcements which left Wellington on 14 February 1915. Private Robert John Glassey was wounded in action during the August Offensive. He died of his wounds on 9th August 1915 at Gallipoli, Turkey.
Further Information
Robert John Glassey was the son of Robert Burns and Susan Glassey. Robert Burns Glassey and Susan Boyd were married on 1st September 1885 in Glenhoy, County Tyrone.
Robert Glassey was born on 1st May 1895 in Claremore, Clogher, County Tyrone.
The 1901 census records Robert John as 6 years old. His father was a farmer. The family lived in Clare More, Cecil, Tyrone.
Known family: Robert Burns Glassey, Susan Glassey, William Glassey (born 24th June 1886), James Glassey (born 14th November 1887), Thomas Glassey (born 27th August 1889), Mary Dorcas Glassey (born 10th August 1891), Sarah Jane Glassey (born 17th February 1893), Robert John Glassey (born 1st May 1895), Joseph Alexander Glassey (born 17th January 1897), Andrew Glassey (born 17th April 1899), George Glassey (born 4th July 1901).
The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1901. New Zealand Passenger Lists record the family as arriving Wellington between October and December 1901 on the SS Papanui.
They went on to settle in Ruapuna, on the South Island of New Zealand. Ruapuna was a farming locality on the Canterbury Plains, 37 kilometres west of Ashburton.
Prior to enlisting, Robert was a labourer, working a Fred Orchard. He was living in Opotiki on the north coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Robert Glassey enlisted in Opotiki with the Otago Regiment, of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (N.Z.E.F.) on 2nd November 1914 (CHECK)
Private Glassey was part of the third draft of reinforcements which left Wellington on 14 February 1915. The ship arrived in Suez, Egypt on 26 March 1915.
Robert lists his brother and sister as his next of kin.
Private Robert John Glassey was wounded in action during the August Offensive. He died of his wounds on 9th August 1915 at Gallipoli, Turkey. He was 20 years old.
Robert lists his next of kin as his younger sister, Miss Mary Glassey of Ruapuna, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Three other Glassey brothers enlisted. Joseph Alexander (62959), Thomas Moore (34662) and James (6/3329). James Glassey married Clara Conway after the war in 1919 and died in 1975 at age 88. Thomas Moore Glassey died on 10 Sep 1957 in Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand at age 68. Joseph Alexander Glassey married Gertrude Annett in 1925 and died on 30 Dec 1979 in Palmerston, Otago, New Zealand at age 82.
Private Glassey’ plaque and scroll went to his eldest brother, William, who was by then living in Pahiatua on the North Island.
Private Robert John Glassey is commemorated on Ashburton War Memorial, Canterbury in New Zealand. His name is listed on Panel 1 (WW1).
Private Robert John Glassey has no known grave and is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial at Gallipoli in Turkey.
Private Robert John Glassey is commemorated on Ashburton WWI War Memorial in Canterbury, New Zealand.
R J Glassey commemorated on Panel 1  (WW1) Ashburton War Memorial
The CWGC record Private Robert John Glassey as the brother of William Glassey of Pahiatua.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Clare More, Cecil Augher Census listing in Clare More, Cecil 54.457017 -7.157264
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
01/09/1885 M Boyd Susan Parent M/1885/T1/1443/2/40
01/09/1885 M Glassey Robert Parent M/1885/T1/1443/2/40 Robt
24/06/1886 B Glassey William Sibling U/1886/107/1026/9/84
14/11/1887 B Glassey James Sibling U/1887/107/1026/9/240
27/08/1889 B Glassey Thomas Sibling U/1889/107/1026/9/461
10/08/1891 B Glassey Mary Sibling U/1891/107/1026/10/199
17/02/1893 B Glassey Sarah Sibling U/1893/107/1026/10/375
01/05/1895 B Glassey Robert Casualty U/1895/107/1026/11/118
17/01/1897 B Glassey Joseph Sibling U/1897/107/1026/11/291
17/04/1899 B Glassey Andrew Sibling U/1899/107/1026/12/28
04/07/1901 B Glassey George Sibling U/1901/107/1026/12/240
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Glassey Family Lists Robert John as age 6, living with the family at house 7 in Clare More, Cecil, Tyrone
2 Archives New Zealand Military documents (22 no) of Private Robert John Glassey
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Robert John Glassey's inscription
4 Glassey Family Tree Lists wealth of information on Glassey family
5 Glassey website partially completed website.
6 New Zealand Cenotaph Ashburton War Memorial. Panel 1 (WW1), names, marble panel. (photos)
7 New Zealand Passenger List 1901 Wellington (inwards), SS-1-477, Oct.-Dec. 1901
8 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Robert John Glassey's inscription can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023