Alexander Edward McKeich

Other Events:

• Occupation: electrician

Notes:

Colin was born in Dunedin, the eldest child of Walter and Elizabeth McKeich. He was educated at Macandrew Road School where he was Dux in his final year. His secondary education was at night school at King Edward Technical College where he gained qualifications which enabled him to carry out the tasks of an Electrical Engineer. In 1942 he gained a position with the Public Works Dept in Wellington. He and his family, Maisie, his wife and Bill, Jean and Alex lived at Ingestre Street, Brooklyn and Colin joined such groups as the local Bowling Club, Ratepayers' Association and School Committees. He was a Commissioner for South Wellington Intermediate when that school was first established. In his early years Colin was a marksman with the Kiwi Defence Rifle Club and won events at Trentham. Colin was heavily involved with the New Zealand Institute of Electricians and became President and Life Member towards the end of his career in the Electrical Industry. For a number of years Colin edited "The New Zealand Electrician". He enjoyed writing articles for the journal and delivering speeches at conferences, many of which, it is reported, were designed to stir people into action. He retired after 40 years as Chief Regulations Engineer for the New Zealand Electricity Department.

All entries for 1928 - 1931 electoral roll living at 151 Bay View Road
49370, Mckeich, Colin Harrie, Electrician
18788, Mckeich, Elizabeth Barclay, Married
18791, Mckeich, Walter Ernest, Woolclasser




Died:

Colin married Mary Naismith Turley on 24 Feb 1932 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Mary was born on 4 Nov 1906 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; died on 5 May 1994 in Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Alias: Maisie

Notes:

Mary Naismith Turley, known to all as Maisie, was the only daughter of Harry and Jeanie Turley. She was educated at schools in Dunedin and Timaru and later at Archerfield's School, Dunedin. She studied shorthand and typing and at the age of 15 found work in a builder's yard to supplement the family income. Her interest in art led her to study that subject at The Dunedin School of Art before her marriage. In her early twenties she met and subsequently married Colin McKeich and devoted her life to raising her family and looking after Colin who in later years was not well with bronchial ailments. In her early years she had been taught to play the piano by her mother and later had tuition on the pipe organ. At one time her main source of income was from playing the organ at weddings. She also played at church services. Maisie met Colin McKeich at the young adults' group at Cargill Road Methodist Church. They married in 1932 and for most of their lives together attendance at church and involvement in church activities took up much time. Maisie was also heavily involved with the Brooklyn Townswomen's Guild and served as President and also as Treasurer for a number of years. She also played the piano for the Townswomen's Guild choir and ran many of their play reading groups. In her retirement she took up art again and many of her paintings have found their way into grandchildren's homes


Died:

Notes:

Married:
Have at least 3 children

All entries for 1935 electoral roll living at 34 Nottingham Crescent, Caversham
49370, Mckeich, Colin Harrie, Electrician
60030, Mckeich, Mary Naismith, Married
33239, Turley, William Harry, Agent

All entries for 1938 electoral roll living at 193 Surrey Street, Caversham
49370, Mckeich, Colin Harrie, Electrician
60030, Mckeich, Mary Naismith, Married

Other Events:

• Alias: Wattie
• Occupation: wool classer

Notes:

Died:

Walter married Elizabeth Barclay Waddell on 28 Mar 1906 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Elizabeth was born on 25 Jul 1883 in Outram, Otago, New Zealand; died on 13 Dec 1959 in Hamilton, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Father: William WADDELL b: 26 APR 1843 in Stirlingshire, Scotland c: 01 SEP 1843 in Stirlingshire, Scotland
Mother: Elizabeth Wilson BARCLAY b: 02 JUN 1857 in Inverness, Scotland


Elizabeth died on 13 December 1959 at Hamilton. She died of Congestive Heart Failure, rheumatic heart disease, Uraemia and chronic nephritis. Elizabeth was cremated at Purewa Cemetery on 15 December 1959 and her ashes scattered around the Garden of Memories there.
The following notes were given to Colin McKeich by his sister Muriel Ford, shortly before their mother's death. Muriel's daughter Judith Holdsworth is vigorously pursuing the Barclay/Waddell genealogy and Bill McKeich has engaged a researcher in Scotland to research George Barclay's and Jane Spence's parents and occupations.

"My grandmother's (Mum's Mother) people the Barclays had a shoe shop at Inverness, Scotland.

George Barclay (Mum's cousin) had her walking stick in his collection. It was the life of her father, William Waddell, carved by someone on the West Coast. Probably sold to his relations.

Mary Meiklejohn a daughter of Lawrence Barclay (George's brother). They live in Dunedin and have a son John who is a teacher at Kings High. Mary was a teacher too.

Marie Barclay (George's sister) married Alex Williamson a teacher, dead now, but she lives at Balclutha with a neice and nephew and is 94."

We now know that George Barclay was a master shoemaker and learned his trade in Falkirk, moving to Inverness after he and Jane Spence were married



Died:
Died in the Public Hospital

Notes:

Married:
Married at the home of W Thomas Barclay and witnessed by Elizabeth Hodge Barclay (probably his wife).

All entries for 1911 electoral roll living at 14 Oxford Street, South Dunedin
14045, Best, Alfred Ernest, Commercial Traveller
14046, Best, Isabella, Married
18788, Mckeich, Elizabeth Barclay, Married
18791, Mckeich, Walter Ernest, Wool Classer


All entries for 1914 - 1919 - 1922 - 1925 electoral roll living at 151 Bay View Road, St Kilda
18788, Mckeich, Elizabeth Barclay, Married
18791, Mckeich, Walter Ernest, Wool Classer

All entries for 1928 - 1931 electoral roll living at 151 Bay View Road, St Kilda
49370, Mckeich, Colin Harrie, Electrician
18788, Mckeich, Elizabeth Barclay, Married
18791, Mckeich, Walter Ernest, Woolclasser

Other Events:

• Occupation: Butcher

Notes:

Robert married Emily Harriet Bicknell and had 5 children being James Henry, Ada, Walter Ernest, Ethel Maud, Robert William. Robert married Rebecca McWhinney and had a child called Robert


Died:

Robert married Emily Harriet Bicknell on 8 Mar 1876 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Emily was born on 7 Jan 1857 in Raglan, Fiery Creek, Victoria, Australia; died on 2 Jun 1924 in Glasgow, South Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Birth: 5 September 1855. Ref # 1297/1855, Schedule A, District of Collingwood, Victoria
Marriage: 8 March 1876. Ref # 7, Copy of Register of Marriage, # 628, District of Dunedin.
Death: 4 June 1902. Ref Telegram from Commanding Officer, 9th NZ Regiment.

Detailed information about Robert can be found in "The McKeich Family History" compiled by his great grandson Bill McKeich and also in the "Boer War Diary " of Lieutenant Robert McKeich, 9th NZ Contingent, transcribed by Bill McKeich.

Copies of the Diary have been lodged in the Lawrence Museum, National Archives and the Waiouru War Museum where the original manuscript is held.

Robert left Melbourne on 18 December 1875 aboard the Ringarooma and landed in Invercargill on Friday 24 December 1875. His age was given as 29. He was in fact only 20.

There is a record of " Mrs Bicknel" travelling on the Ringarooma on the same dates as Robert. Could this have been the 18 year old Emily? Emily was very pregnant and she and Robert married in
March 1876 and their eldest child Jim was born two months later.