051 Jellicoe Place, Masterton

The story

051 Jellicoe Place Masterton, street view 2017

Reason for the name

At a meeting of Masterton Borough Council on 22 July 1958 it was moved by Councillor Morton, seconded by Councillor Donald that among other streets in the new subdivision between High St and York Streets a new street should be named Jellicoe Place. This naming was in honour of Govenor General Jellicoe but this story also recognises his military career as Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO, SGM (later 1^st Earl Jellicoe)

At a meeting of Masterton Borough Council on 22 July 1958 it was moved by Councillor Morton, seconded by Councillor Donald:

“That the following names representing former Governor-Generals in New Zealand be allocated to the streets in the new subdivision between High St and York Streets.

Bledisloe, Galway, Hobson, Jellicoe, Newall, Liverpool, Freyberg and Fergusson.”

Of this group, Galway was never used and Liverpool became part of a second group of streets named after former governors and governor-generals of New Zealand.

Jellicoe Place is a small no-exit street in the Solway suburb of southern Masterton. It runs off Bledisloe Street and contains just eight houses.

Jellicoe Place and the surrounding streets were formed in the late 1950s as Masterton’s population increased and empty land between older streets was in-filled.

Author: Neil Frances Wairarapa Archive

Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO, SGM (later 1^st Earl Jellicoe) commanded the Grand Fleet of the Royal Navy 1914-1916 including the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. After the battle Winston Churchill described Jellicoe as “the only man on either side who could lose the war in an afternoon” – showing the importance of his command at the time.

Born in 1859, Jellicoe joined the Royal Navy aged 13 and had a distinguished career, being promoted to captain in 1897. He took part in the expedition to relieve Peking in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion and was badly wounded.

After Jutland he was appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty in November 1916 and held the post until December 1917. He was created Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa Flow in March 1918.

Jellicoe was appointed Governor-General of New Zealand and arrived in September 1920. He was offered the position in either Australia or New Zealand and opted for New Zealand.

The Manchester Daily Despatch was quoted in the Christchurch Press (10 July 1920) commenting on his appointment:

An unusually enthusiastic welcome awaits Lord Jellicoe when he arrives “in that most loyal of all the Dominions.”

The appointment is a distinct improvement upon former selections of Governors and Governors-General, who have generally been either party hacks or impecunious peers.

Jellicoe’s appointment, according to New Zealand newspapers, was widely welcomed. As one of Britain’s most prominent military leaders in World War One, he was better-known to New Zealanders than most previous vice-regal representatives.

As with Bernard Freyberg after World War Two, the acceptance of his appointment owed much to his reputation as a military figure and as a war leader.

He visited the Wairarapa several times, including Anzac Day in Featherston, 1921.

He returned to Britain after his New Zealand term and died in 1935.

Commemoration

051 Jellicoe Place Masterton Launch Ceremony2

Poppy Places signpost links to soldiers

By Hayley Gastmeier hayley.gastmeier@age.co.nz

9:34 AM Tuesday Apr 19, 2016

Photo shows: From left, war historian Neil Frances, Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson, Masterton RSA president Bob Hill, and New Zealand Poppy Places trustee Joseph Bolton. PHOTO/HAYLEY GASTMEIER

Three new street signs that feature a poppy flower were unveiled in Masterton on Sunday as part of a nationwide initiative which recognises New Zealand's military history.

The Places of Remembrance Project is about identifying and recording New Zealand street names that have a connection to the country's overseas war efforts.

New street signs were unveiled on Freyberg St and Jellicoe St in Solway, and on Allenby St in Lansdowne.

The three streets have now been added to the national list of streets now known as "Poppy Places".

The project by the New Zealand Poppy Places Trust is one of many initiatives encouraged by the Government to commemorate the centenary of World WarI.

At the unveiling of the Freyberg St sign, Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson said it was fitting the project's launch in Wairarapa had come at a time of remembrance.

"It's great that we are recognising the history of our street names, and particularly at this time. It's a way to highlight their relevance, and in a way for the young ones to understand."

Each "Poppy Place" street sign has a QR code from which people can learn more about the project.

Project manager and trustee of the New Zealand Poppy Places Trust, Joseph Bolton, said there were now 64 streets in New Zealand identified as Poppy Places.

However, he estimates there to be "about 3000" street names in the country with a connection to New Zealand's military service overseas