Man of Mystery: Michael Ney, RCN
For years I’ve been a devoted fan of garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores, always on the lookout for the useful, the exotic and the unique—as I define the terms.
One of my more outstanding treasures turned up in a community 'free store' on Gabriola Island years ago. It’s a framed colour photo of a church memorial window. Not in itself a real turn-on for me.
But that changed when I read the penned caption. It identified the window as a memorial for Michael F.A.Ney, RCN. RCN, of course, stands for Royal Canadian Navy.
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According to the caption, he was killed “while serving against the Mau Mau, October 31st, 1954”.
What they hey. The Mau Mau were an independence movement in Kenya! What would an officer of the Royal Canadian Navy being doing, fighting the Mau Mau in Africa, let alone getting killed while doing so?
I knew there had to be a story here so the photo was worth the $10 asking price.
But it was only last year, thanks to faithful Chronicles reader and avid genealogical researcher Jim La Bossiere that I was able to learn more about the enigmatic Michael Ney, RCN.
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Warning: this isn’t going to be your usual chronological biography with personal vignettes that string together in a nice, neat and orderly manner. Rather, it’s more of a cut-and-paste attempt to splice together a sequence of facts and dates into a semblance of Michael Ney’s life story.
There’s so much we don’t know.
Why? Because we have little more to go on other than scant official records and even scantier newspaper clippings. My attempts at the time I bought the photo of his church window memorial to interview several Neys in the Nanaimo telephone book went unanswered or, in the one case where there was a response, culminated in a snub.
I gave it up as a bad job.
(I should explain that the only Ney I’d ever heard of previously was former and late Mayor Frank Ney, the bigger-than-life realtor who’s remembered as the father of Nanaimo’s world-known Bathtub Races.)
But of Michael Ney, RCN, nothing more so I set the photo aside and moved on. Not until I met Jim LaBossiere, Duncan, through my Chronicles column in the Citizen, did I see an opportunity to dig deeper into the Ney mystery after Jim volunteered to undertake two other research projects for me. Not as time challenged in his retirement as I am, he’d done so for the sheer joy of playing online genealogical detective; he agreed to see what he could learn about our naval officer’s curious link with the Mau Mau.
The results of Jim’s research have been illuminating to an extent and frustrating, too, in that the most intriguing questions remain unanswered.
For starters, we assumed that Michael Ney was from Ontario and that he was born into a wealthy family which will become apparent as we proceed.
Where to go from there? My first thought had been to check with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission because I, thinking in literal terms, accepted that there was a direct link between his RCN service and his death “while serving against the Mau Mau”.
Needless to say, that CWGC couldn’t help me and it remained for Jim LaBossiere to take up the trail then begin to link the few and sometimes frustrating facts into a timeline.
He, too, checked with the CWGC and had to inform me, “Ney, Michael, F.A.: born 9 Feb. 1925, d. 1 Nov. 1954, grandson of Sir James Aiken & Mary French Colby, killed in Kenya.
“No records under Commonwealth War Graves.
“Veterans Affairs has no records on Mau Mau.
“No listing on the Canadian Books of Remembrance.”
So let’s start with Ney’s high school style yearbook entry when he graduated from Royal Roads Military College: “M.F. NEY – Atlantic-bopper (some ridiculously large number of times), citizen of the world, arrived fortified by spells at King’s School, Canterbury, and Ashbury. At present he is a member of B Class, Alpha Literature, an Epicurean, and Editor-in-bleeding Chief. He is bound for the V.R. [Royal Canadian Navy Reserve] and when the piping days return, university and politics.”
This bio of sorts accompanied a group photo of young naval officers, the caption of which identifies the serious looking officer at the right end of the middle row as M.F.J.A. Ney. That’s a small oddity in itself: four Christian names.
Jim then moved on to learn that Ashbury College is an independent day and boarding school in Rockcliffe, Park, Ottawa, Ontario [as of Jan. 20, 2019]. Jim again: “Now that I had Michael’s middle initials and his service branch, I was able to do a more detailed search.”
Here’s where it began to get really interesting:
“A window is dedicated to the memory of alumni Michael F.A. Ney [Royal Military College 1944] R.C.N. who was killed in an accident while serving as an inspector with the Kenyan Police Force. The 1955 design includes the crests of the Royal Roads military College and the message “First unto God and then to the Queen.”
Jim also found an inactive online link, 35061-076 Michael F.A. Ney memorial window at the National Military Memorials. And this tantalizing newspaper clipping:
This single newspaper entry pretty much tells, albeit in brief, as much as we’re likely to know about our mysterious Michael Ney. Again, thanks to the online sleuthing talents of Jim LaBossiere.
From this we know that he was killed in an accident while serving not in the RCN but with an “emergency police force...raised to combat the Mau Mau menace”. Hardly the end of the story but perhaps this is where we should pause.
Who and what were the Mau Mau?
According to Miriam Webster, “The term mau-mau comes from the name of the Mau Mau, a militant African nationalist movement formed among the Kikuyu people of Kenya in the 1950s to advocate violent resistance to British rule. The English term reflects the historical British version of the actions of the Mau Mau, a version that does not acknowledge the grievances of the Kikuyu or the atrocities committed against them. In current English, mau-mau is used to suggest that a person's efforts and actions stem only from a desire to commit violent acts, or in milder use, to cause disruption or achieve some petty aim. When the term is used of a black person it is especially likely to be considered offensive.”
I can vaguely remember reading about the Mau Mau as a kid when they were very much in the news and in the newsreels that accompanied Saturday matinees at the movies. In particular, a photo in a magazine showing an atrocity committed by Mau Mau so impressed me I still haven’t got it out of my mind. But, until researching the intriguing reference to Michael Ney’s death while “serving against” them in 1954, that’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge of this African “terrorist” group.
Back to Jim’s research: Michael Ney’s body (or his ashes) was/were returned to Canada as he’s interred in Crystal Lake Cemetery, Stanstead, Estrie Region, Quebec, Canada.
There’s a note to the effect that his grave is still maintained by someone identified as Aurorae Little, ‘UE contributor”.
There’s more: The same findagrave.com website lists Michael’s father as Frederick James Ney, 1884-1973, his mother as Mary Alberta Helena Aikins, 1902-1979, the daughter of J.A.M. Aikins—Sir James Aikins, 1851-1929, the ninth lieutenant-governor of Manitoba.
Michael Ney, their only child, was a first cousin of Nanaimo’s Mayor Frank Ney.
But let’s go back to Sir James, Michael’s maternal uncle, for a moment. Here’s an illustrious ancestor for you.
According to Wikipedia, The Honourable James Albert Manning Aikins, KC, 1851-1929, served as Manitoba L-G, 1916-1926, was the first president of the Canadian Bar Association, 1914-1927, and leader of the Conservative Party in the provincial election of 1915. The son of a prominent Ontario politician and cabinet minister who also served as a Manitoba lieutenant-governor, Sir James received his BA in 1875 after studying at Upper Canada College and at the University of Toronto.
“A politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was the leader of the Manitoba Conservative Party in the provincial election of 1915, and later served as the province’s ninth Lieutenant Governor... From 1879 to 1896, Aikins was a counsel for the Department of Justice. In 1880, he was part of a committee that investigated the administration of justice in the North-West Territories. Aikins was appointed counsel to the Manitoba government in 1900, and was responsible for drafting the Temperance Act passed by the government of Hugh John Macdonald. He also served as President of the Law Society of Manitoba, and was a solicitor for the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1881 to 1911.
“In the 1911 federal election, Aikins was elected as a Conservative candidate to the House of Commons of Canada for the riding of Brandon. The Conservative Party won this election, and Aikins served as a backbench supporter of Robert Borden’s administration.
“Aikins left federal politics in 1915, amid unexpected circumstances. The provincial Conservative government of Rodmond Roblin was forced to resign amid scandal in May 1915. Aikins served as chair of the provincial party's convention in July, and accepted the position of party leader on July 15 when no other candidates came forward. He resigned his federal seat, and led the provincial party into a new election.
“The new Liberal government of Tobias Norris was extremely popular, and portrayed Aikins as the tool of more sinister figures in the Conservative Party. The Liberals won 40 seats in the election, against only five for the Tories. Aikins was resoundingly defeated in Brandon City.
“The following year, Aikins was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba on the recommendation of Prime Minister Robert Borden. He served in this largely ceremonial position from August 5, 1916, to October 25, 1926. Although his initial appointment was greeted with skepticism, Aikins proved to be a popular office-holder. Even the pro-Liberal Winnipeg Free Press approved of the continuance of his appointment on the recommendation of Prime Minister Arthur Meighen in 1921.
“Aikins gave the Norris government permission to continue in office for a few weeks after losing a vote of confidence in 1922, such that important legislation could be passed before the next election.
“Aikins was the first president of the Canadian Bar Association, holding that office for 13 years. He was the first of five lawyers from the Aikins firm to serve as president of the CBA, the others being his son Gordon Harold Aikins (1942–1943), John MacAulay (1953–1954), A. Lorne Campbell (1970–1971), and Guy Joubert (2008-2009).
“Aikins died on March 1, 1929.”
Again, thanks to Wikipedia:
“Michael’s father, Major Frederick James Ney (1884-1973) Educator, was equally noteworthy. Born at Westfield, Sussex County, England on 17 September 1884, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Ney, he was educated at Rye Grammar School and privately. He was headmaster at the English College at Nicosia, Cyprus; and Headmaster of St. Mary’s High School at Cairo, Egypt. He came to Canada in 1909 where he was Headmaster at the West Treherne School, then Russell High School (1908-1909), and Chief Secretary of the Department of Education for the Manitoba Government.
“In September 1914, he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, serving with the RAMC, being gazetted as a Captain and sent overseas where he transferred to South Wales Borderers, 1916 (25th Division). He was in France from 1915 to the end of the war, seeing service in Ypres and Mons and was mentioned three times in dispatches. He was awarded the Military Cross (Messines), Belgian Croix de Guerre, and French Croix de Guerre. He was promoted to a Major on the eve of the armistice and was, for a time, specially attached to French Army in charge of large Motor Ambulance Convoy [sic]. He returned to Canada in 1920 and resumed his position with the Department of Education.
“Major Ney married Mary Alberta Helena Aikins (1902-1979), daughter of J/A/M. Aikins, and they subsequently had one son, Michael Ney.
“Major Ney was the Founder and Honorary Organizer of the Overseas Educational League, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Education, and Honorary Secretary for Canada of the International Moral Education Congress. As organizer of the Overseas Education League, he was responsible for the organization of the scheme of Interchange of Teachers between Canada and other parts of the British Empire. As Secretary of the National Council of Education, he was responsible for the organization of the National Lectureship scheme, inaugurated in the spring of 1923 by Sir Henry Newbolt and Sir Michael Sadler.
“He was awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Paris presented by the President of the Council at the Hotel de Ville, 19 July 1923. He was a member of the Masons (Wellington Lodge, No. 22, Rye, England), United Service Club (Winnipeg), Arts and Letters Club (Toronto), and Royal Colonial Institute (London, England). In 1968, he was inducted into the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to the field of education and teacher exchanges with the Commonwealth and France, and as founder of the Commonwealth Youth Movement.
“Major Ney died at Nanaimo, British Columbia on 7 March 1973 and was buried in the Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens at Nanaimo.”
Findagrave.com indicates he was a brother to Frank Alfonso Ney, father of Mayor Frank Ney. This Frederick Ney is most certainly with his brother in Winnipeg in the 1921 Canada census.
Michael Ney’s father, headstone in the Cedar Cemetery. Note that he was inducted in the Order of Canada in 1968 for his lifelong work with education and the Commonwealth Youth Movement.
Michael Ney's father's grave —Photo courtesy of Jim LaBossiere
—Photo, slide courtesy of Jim LaBossiere
Michael’s mother, Mary Albert Helena ‘Helen’ Aikins Ney, who died in 1979, aged 77. is interred in Crystal Lake Cemetery, Stanstead, Estrie Region, Quebec, Canada, where Michael is buried.
Michael Ney, RCN, leaves us with more questions than answers, alas. Not so his cousin, Frank James Ney (1918-1992), for 21 years the mayor Nanaimo and, for a single term, an MLA. Wikipedia tells us that he “was known for his outgoing personality, his habit of attending civic events and dressing up like a pirate for the appearances, and playing a central role in initiating the bathtub races across Georgia Strait from Nanaimo to Vancouver. He was father to eleven children, several of whom were adopted from various ethnic or racial origins, with his first wife, Jocelyn (Floyer). He was an active skier, swimmer, figure skater and boater. During the 1950/1951 season he was President of the Nanaimo Figure Skating Club.
“He also, while Mayor, initiated the creation of cut-away corners of sidewalk curbs in downtown Nanaimo after spending one day in a wheelchair in order to experience for himself the difficulties in getting around experienced by those in wheelchairs...”
There’s much more to know about Frank Ney, successful realtor and flamboyant mayor, but I’ll leave it to readers to Google him themselves.
As for Michael Ney, RCN, the mystery of his life subsequent to his graduation from Royal Roads military College remains for the most part unanswered.
Which brings me back, briefly, to the Mau Mau uprising of 1952-1960 which is also known as the Mau Mau Rebellion, the Mau Mau Revolt and the Kenya Emergency. Viewed as terrorists by the white colonists of Kenya, mostly of British origin, they’ve since been redeemed as patriots rather than terrorists in some quarters. In some respects as much a tribal war as a revolt against the colonial government, it never captured widespread public support because of long-rooted tribal rivalries.
Deaths of the eight-year-long turmoil are estimated to have been at least 11,000. including an astonishing 1,090 executions at the end of the war—“the largest wartime use of capital punishment by the British Empire”.
Based on the sketchy information available we’re left to assume that Michael Ney was no longer an officer in the RCN but a resident of Kenya; we do know that he was a member of the emergency police force when he died in a vehicle accident. It’s likely that the photo of his memorial church window that I bought came from his father’s estate.
How it got to the free store on Gabriola Island is anybody’s guess.
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