“EMPIRE JACK.”

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1930, Page 6

“EMPIRE JACK.”

CONTRACTOR’S SUICIDE. ADVENTUROUS CAREER. . RUMANIAN EXPLOIT. Over a wide—one might say a worldwide—circle the untmely death of Sir .John Norton-Griffiths will be mourned. (He committed suicide over a supposed mistake in figures in tendering for the Assouan dam contract.) His personality was magnetic; his energy abounding; a love of adventure marked all he did, whether in private business or political life (writes B.G.E. in the “Morning Past.”) With it all he had a deep sympathy for his fellow men, particularly the poor among them. He was not called “Empire Jack” for nothing, and lie was proud of the nick-name. He had a passionate confidence in the Empire, and he did all he could to ensure that the Dominions overseas should be peopled by men and women of British birth. It was' while he sat for Wednesbury that he earned the title. There was much distress in the Black Country town, and Jie started a fund to assist in the emigration of families of Canada. This was philanthropy pn a business basis, for the men he helped were expected to repay the money advanced. Tn very few cases did they fail to redeem the debt of honour. A CANADIAN INCIDENT. He told me some years after he had ceased to be member for Wedn.es.bpry that on' one of his visits to Canada, lie received a telegram from the head of a family he had helped in tins way, begging him to come to see them in a recently opened-out country in the West. He w,ent at great inconvenience Arriving at the collection of shacks which formed the village he found it .decorated by little Union Jacks, and two youngsters were on the roadway. They jumped .on his car with- words on hugs of welcome, and he discovered that they were members, of a fanily of six—the parents and four children—who had Deen emigrated with the assistance of his fund. When their house was reached the gratitude of the house was overwhelming, for they had all made good, and looked on. “Empire Jack” as their deliverer. •

Sir John’s emotions as he narrated all this disclosed a side of his character not so well known as it should have been. He was a" conspieious and popular figure in the House of Commons as was shown when- his elder daughter was married to Captain Thorpe, then the member for Rusholnie divis on of Manchester. The young people became acquainted through sittiing next to each other in Westminister Abbey when Princess Mary was married. SMOKE-ROOM STORIES.

Sir John was a first-class raconteur, anti the stories used to tell of his adventures in Rumania, on the Western Front, and during his travels in all parts of the world used to attract many ■a group of fellow members in the smoke room on dull nights. Born in July, 1871, he was intended for an engineer, but he left home at 17 ami served before the nnujt. His wanderings in Australia gave Him much valuable experience when he, later on, was engaged on large contracting works. He was.in Sou.tiilAfrica when the Matahele War broke out, and, of course, hurried to the front. Then came the* Boer War. He joined the South African Field Force, and was, .given the command of a squadron in Brabant’s Colonial Division. Later he ; .was captain and adjutant of Lord Robert’s bodyguard, fought in many important engagements, was three tmes mentioned in dispatches, and gained the Queen’s and King’s medals with clasps. WAR EXPLOITS. • On the outbreak of the Great War he raised in London .the body of .overseas fighting men known as the 2nd King Edward’s Horse ; and was .subsequently attached to the staff of the Engineer-in. Charge at G.H.Q. It was in til's capacity that lie initiated the lay-out of the 'deep-mining Scheme for the Messines Ridge. .It Was not only a .spectacular but an over-whelmihgly successful exploit—a sort of artificial earthquake; it enabled British troops to walk to the top of the ridge with only a few casualties, instead of the loss of probably thousands of lives. Then came his most fanious exploit—the destruction of the Rumanian oiL wells and corn stores. It was a matter of vital importance that the Germans should not seize these valuable ads. He. risked his life many times; the most dangerous work lie would not entrust to any subordinate; and he stayed behind so long on one job to see that it was successful that he was nearly caught by the Germans.

'} Roumanians called him “the Devil of Destruction” ; and he earned the title, for when the Germans did enter Rumania they found little that was of use to them. For these and other services he was made a D.S.Q., and received the K.C.8., as well as Russian and Rumanian Orders. He had all the instincts of a soldier and loved his armv work.