Maseko worked as a delivery man in the South African town of Springs [2] before volunteering for service in the Native Military Corps. While a prisoner, he constructed a bomb, using a milk tin, cordite and a fuse and, with the help of fellow prisoners Andrew Mohudi, Sam Police and Koos Williams, managed to hide the device on a German cargo boat at the docks of Tobruk. The boat was destroyed in the explosion later that afternoon.
He attained the rank of lance corporal during his service. Maseko died in after being struck by a train [2] and was buried with borrowed money in the Payneville Township Cemetery of Springs. The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East:. For meritorious and courageous action in that on or about the 21st July, while a Prisoner of War, he, Job Masego, sank a fully laden enemy steamer - probably an "F" boat - while moored in Tobruk Harbour.
This he did by placing a small tin filled with gunpowder in among drums of petrol in the hold, leading a fuse therefrom to the hatch and lighting the fuse upon closing the hatch. Job had won a Military Medal for single-handedly blowing up a German transport ship while a Prisoner of War in Tobruk, north Africa, in The gist of the press reports was that Job should have won a Victoria Cross and that racism from senior officers meant that his award was blocked.
Could that be true? A campaign had been launched online by a man named Bill Gillespie, whose father had fought with the South African army in north Africa. I started my research by reaching out to Bill and hearing what he had to say. The story was a spectacular one — Job did blow up the ship and then shortly afterwards he escaped from captivity and, alongside a colleague, walked for 23 days across the desert to reach allied lines. But should he have won a Victoria Cross? Secondly, the act must be witnessed.
The family still stays in Kwa Thema township, near Springs, on the edge of Johannesburg. Together we visited his grave, and it was wonderful to see that he is far from forgotten.
In the township is a school named after him and also a road. But he believes more should be done to commemorate Maseko's gallantry. You may also be interested in:. He points out that Teddy Sheean of the Australian Navy was awarded a VC in November last year following 50 years of lobbying by his family for an act that took place in But in his home town, the Kwa-Thema township in Springs, Maseko's legacy lives on.
A main road and a primary school have been named after him and a large mural with his portrait has also been painted. At his graveside, his niece is obviously pleased about the renewed attention his story is getting. Turning to the headstone Ms Nkosi Maaba proudly says: "Your memory lives on uncle, continue resting in peace. Nomsa Maseko is a distant relative of Job but has not played any part in the campaign backed by his close family.
Role of black soldiers in WW2 'not being taught'. PM 'deeply troubled' over war graves racism. A mural now commemorates Job Maseko in his hometown of Springs. Maseko's family support the move. Maseko's niece Jennifer Nkosi Maaba believes that racism played a role in her uncle not receiving the Victoria Cross.
Blowing up a ship. Job Maseko was remembered in a memorial service a few months after his death.
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