Jack Massey

John Tolson Massey (1 May 1887 – 18 July 1981) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and a long serving National General Secretary of the YMCA of Australia. John Tolson Massey was born in Hawthorn on 1 May 1887 the son of Herbert John Massey, a draper, and Fanny Tolson. He first came to public prominence when in 1910 he was recruited from Carlton Juniors (later Carlton District) to play two games with Carlton in the VFL. Massey became the 242nd senior player to represent the Blues. Like his brother Claude, Jack was educated at Footscray College. In 1903 he joined the importing firm Paterson, Laing & Bruce Ltd. An active member of the Church of England, he soon became involved in youth work. He joined the Australian Natives' Association, serving as president of its Elsternwick and Caulfield branch. His pacifism was overtaken by the outbreak of World War I, and after rejection for army service because of a leg injury, he embarked upon what would become both career and ministry by joining the YMCA as a field secretary with the Australian Imperial Force. Attached to the 4th Division, Massey went to England in 1916 and then to France and Belgium, where he helped to provide comforts for the troops. Granted the honorary rank of captain in 1918, he remained in Belgium until January 1919 when he joined the International YMCA Hospitality League in London, caring for soldiers awaiting repatriation.