Herbert Massey

Herbert Martin Massey
Born	19 January 1898 Hilton, Derbyshire, England
Died	1976 (aged 78) Barnstaple, Devon, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1915 – 22 June 1950
Rank	Air Commodore
Battles / wars	World War I, Arab Revolt, World War II
Awards	CBE DSO MC

Air Commodore Herbert Martin Massey CBE DSO MC (19 January 1898 – c. 1976). On February 4, 1917 while serving with No. 16 Squadron RAF Massey was wounded and his observer killed by Werner Voss. He was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II. After being captured by the Germans, Massey became the Senior British Officer at Stalag Luft III.

After Massey's death, a memorial service in his honour was held on 22 May 1976 at St Clement Danes Church.

Massey was the basis for the character Group Captain Ramsey in the film The Great Escape (who also walks with a stick), played by actor James Donald.

In 2016 a Blue Plaque was unveiled at the Hilton House Hotel where Massey was born, the first Blue Plaque in the village of Hilton.

Honours and awards

He received the following awards and honours:

• CBE - 2 Jan 1950
• DSO - 6 Nov 1936
• MC - 1917
• Mentioned in Dispatches - 23 Jul 1937, 1 Jan 1941 and 24 Sep 1941

References

• Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Commodore H M Massey