Lieutenant Robert Delvin JAMESON
New Zealand Forces Motor Service Corps (Wellington Motor Car Section)

Date of birth: 6th June 1882
Date of death: 22nd May 1952

Died aged 69
Unknown
Robert Delvin Jameson was born at Delvin Lodge, Balbriggan, County Meath in Ireland on the 6th of June 1882 the eldest son of Richard D'Arcy Jameson JP and his first wife, Edith Maud (nee Smith) Jameson, of Delvin Lodge, Balbriggan.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1896 where he was wicket keeper of the Cricket XI in 1895 and 1896, being Captain in the latter year. He was a member of the Football XI in 1895. The school magazine wrote of his 1895 cricket season: - "A fair hitter, but utterly unreliable, though he can play if he chooses. A fair wicket- keeper but too lethargic. Will have left by next summer."

The magazine wrote the following on his 1895 football season: - "A capital full back (left) kicking well with both legs and fairly safe, might possibly have made more of his weight, but was a distinct success."

The magazine wrote the following of his 1896 cricket season: - "Captain, and a good one: has met with extraordinary success with the bat, and most deservedly, as he has taken the utmost pains to improve; except for one bad fault, must be fairly called first rate, and for brilliant hitting combined with perfect patience and coolness, has not been surpassed. As a wicket-keeper, hardly did himself justice, and apt to get easily slack."

He won the School Gymnastics Competition in 1896. When he left the school the magazine wrote: - ".... we lose and Charterhouse gains, perhaps the very best all round sportsman Hazelwood has yet produced. If only a careful eye is kept upon him, he ought to be safe of a place in both elevens before very long, and should also be a prominent figure in the gymnasium."

He went on to Charterhouse School where he was in Weekites from September 1896 to July 1899 and was a member of the Officer Training Corps. He became an apprentice in the Merchant Marine until 1904. He moved to New Zealand in 1908 where he worked as the representative of John Jameson and Son (Irish Whiskey) in New Zealand and Australia.

He was married to Katherine Leonora (nee Dick) at the First Church, Dunedin on the 24th of November 1909 and they lived at 8, Mowbray Street, Wellington where he later worked as a motor car salesman. They had two children, Robert John Delvin, born in January 1911 and Patrick Geraint, born on the 10th of November 1912.

Following the outbreak of war he applied for a commission in the Reserve of Officers for the New Zealand Forces Motor Service Corps (Wellington Motor Car Section) on the 6th of August 1914 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Corps on the same day. His appointment was largely due to the fact that he was the owner of a Ford 20hp 15 hundredweight vehicle.

In 1917 a number of officers from his unit were cited as no longer being suitable to hold commissions in the Motor Service Corps. A report into Robert Jameson's conduct read as follows: -

"This officer has been the subject of two reports to the O.C. Motor Service Corps. He does not perform any duties whatever and is not the owner of an effective motor car as required by regulations. His car has been dismantled and is now used as a motor lorry for the carriage of goods for soldiers at Trentham. He should be immediately retired."

As a result of the report his commission lapsed on the 18th of June 1917

He retired in 1935 and died at Dunedin, New Zealand.
Went on to Charterhouse School

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