James Roy (politician)

James Roy MC*
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Clutha
In office 27 November 1935 – 26 November 1960
Preceded by	Peter McSkimming
Succeeded by	Peter Gordon
Personal details
Born	3 March 1893 Wairuna, New Zealand
Died	26 May 1971 Dunedin, New Zealand
Political party	National
Children	2
Profession	Farmer

James Alexander McLean Roy MC* (3 March 1893 – 26 May 1971) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

Biography

Early life and career

He was born and educated in Wairuna near Clinton. He farmed on his father's farm in Wairuna, and his own farm in Cave, South Canterbury. In World War I he was a lieutenant and was awarded the Military Cross and bar, and his medals are on display at the National Army Museum in Waiouru. The citation for his MC reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy attacked in force, the section occupied by this officer's platoon found a salient of advanced posts on which the brunt of the attack fell. He went from post to post, cheering and steadying the garrisons, and setting such a fine example that the enemy were completely held up by his platoon. When the enemy tried to push up to the posts through an old communication trench, he met them with bombers, and swept the open ground with a Lewis gun, inflicting a great number of casualties.

His second citation, for actions on 9 November 1918, reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Accompanied by one man, he raided the enemy’s trenches, and under cover of trench-mortar bombardment proceeded down an old sap towards a machine gun post. As soon as the bombardment lifted he rushed in and captured two of the enemy and brought them back to his lines. He twice went back, and captured two more prisoners and a machine gun. He showed splendid enterprise and daring.

He was a member of the Clinton Presbyterian Church, and Superintendent of the Sunday School there.

Political career

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1935–1936	25th	Clutha			Independent
1936–1938	Changed allegiance to:				National
1938–1943	26th	Clutha			National
1943–1946	27th	Clutha			National
1946–1949	28th	Clutha			National
1949–1951	29th	Clutha			National
1951–1954	30th	Clutha			National
1954–1957	31st	Clutha			National
1958–1960	32nd	Clutha			National

At the 1935 election, he succeeded Peter McSkimming as an Independent supporter of the Reform-United coalition in the Clutha electorate. In 1936, he joined the new National Party formed from a coalition of the Reform Party and the United Party plus three Independents (Roy, with James Hargest and William Polson). He held the Clutha electorate until 1960, when he retired.

Later life and death

Roy died in 1971. He was survived by his wife, daughter and son.

References

• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.