Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alexander Bruce Smith Keeffe (Keefe) was the youngest son and one of ten children of James and Bridget Mary (née Ryan) Keeffe, of Burkes Pass. James and Mary who had married in 1873 in London, came to New Zealand in 1876 with their first-born, Alice Annie Keeffe, and settled in the Mackenzie district. Alexander, known as Alex, was born on 4 March 1893 in Alma Cottage at Burkes Pass - a cob cottage that was built by James Keeffe and still stands today. He was baptised in the Catholic Church at Timaru on 9 April 1893. Alex and his siblings were all educated at Burke’s Pass School where Mr J. Keeffe was elected to the school committee in 1889, and in successive years. He was voted to the chair in 1897. Alex started school on 8 June 1899. At the school concert in September 1905, Master A. Keefe announced the items on the programme, and his younger sister Grace performed. Later in 1905 he was awarded two prizes – Standard IV and physical exercises.

Mr Keefe’s house was almost unroofed in a nor’wester in mid-November 1894 at Burke’s Pass. In February 1897, James Keeffe had applied to the Mackenzie County Council for employment for himself, horse, and dray, as he had had to purchase the horse and dray to do some casual jobs given him by the Council. It was informally agreed any suitable job might be offered him at schedule rates. In October the Council accepted the tender of James Keeffe for pound-keeping at Burke’s Pass, he to pay £3 10s per annum. Alice Keeffe, the eldest of the family, was employed at the Wolds Station when she donated to the Fairlie branch of the Patriotic fund in January 1900. Mr J. Keefe, offered in November 1903 to keep the Burkes Pass cemetery in order for £6 a year. The council engineer and chairman were to inspect and to arrange for the cemetery being looked after as required. Early in 1906, regret was expressed that the railway had not run up to Burke’s Pass from Fairlie, “but the coach services provided by Messrs Kerr and Frayne, and also Mr Keefe, have proved quite sufficient for the present travelling public.” Bridget Keeffe died on 22 February 1906 at Burke’s Pass and James Keeffe on 10 August 1910 at Burke’s Pass. They are buried in Burke’s Pass Cemetery. Alex Keeffe and his brother George, who was very highly regarded for his love of dogs and success in dog trials, were elected to the committee of management at the 1914 annual meeting of the Mackenzie Collie Club. On the outbreak of war in August 1914, Miss A, Keeffe donated to the Cave War Fund. Sadly, Alice Annie Keeffe died at the Timaru Hospital on 1 February 1918. She was buried alongside her parents at Burke’s Pass.

Alexander Bruce Smith Keeffe left Timaru on 13 October 1915 to go into training camp and enlisted at Trentham on 14 October. He was one of a large group who received a very enthusiastic farewell when they assembled in the drill shed for afternoon tea. The Ven. Archdeacon Jacob said that they were going to answer the call of duty and to help the brave boys who had gone before them and who were doing such splendid work. They were going to fight for King and country, to fight in the cause of right. They marched to the railway station, with the 2nd South Canterbury Regimental Band playing some soul-stirring patriotic airs. “Brave lads,” said the Mayor in a voice broken with emotion, “. . . . . We are proud of you for the gallant way you have come forward to assist the Empire in its time of need, .. . . . You are going forward to fight .. . for truth, liberty and justice. . . .” Alexander Keeffe had been medically examined on 23 July 1915. He was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 147 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-36½ inches, a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. He was free from diseases, was vaccinated, and was in good bodily and mental health. A shepherd at Burke’s Pass, single and Roman Catholic, he named his oldest brother as next-of-kin – George James Keeffe, Kimbell, Fairlie. On 28 December 1915, a send-off to soldiers on leave from camp, and also to some about to go into camp for the first time, was held in the public hall at Fairlie. The gathering which took the form of a social evening with songs, recitations, musical items and dances, was held under the auspices of the Fairlie Patriotic Entertainment Committee. The chairman introduced the guests of the evening and spoke in high terms of praise concerning the step they were taking. Several returned men were present, and cheers were given for them, and for the men returning to camp, who included Private A. Keeffe. Refreshments were provided and were handed round during the evening. A very successful evening was brought to a conclusion with a verse of the national anthem and personal good wishes to the departing men.

Rifleman A. B. S. Keeffe embarked the 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, departing from Wellington on 5 February 1916 per the “Ulimaroa”. Disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 13 March, he was transferred to the Government Hospital there, suffering from pneumonia. He was transferred to the New Zealand Convalescent Camp at Zeitoun two weeks later. The progress report from Pont de Koubbeh for the week ending 31 March 1916 noted that he was convalescent with pneumonia. Admitted to the New Zealand Convalescent Home at Helonan on 7 April 1916, he was discharged to the Base Depot at Ghezireh on 20 April. After embarking at Alexandria for Marseilles per Hospital Transport “Ivernia” on 20 May 1916, he was admitted to No. 24 General Hospital at Etaples on 31 May. He marched into the base Depot on 10 June and, rejoining his unit from Hospital, was posted to the 3rd Battalion in the Field (France) on 6 July 1916. He was, unfortunately, admitted to the Ambulance in the field on 2 August 1916, afflicted with measles. The next day he was admitted to No. 7 General Hospital at St Omers, then transferred to Base Details at St Omers on 10 August. He rejoined his unit in the Field on 12 August. He was deprived of 7 days’ pay on 20 August 1920 for absence from 3pm parade when on Active Service and falling out of march without permission.

Worse was to come. Suffering a gunshot wound to his left forearm in action in France (date unknown), Alex Keeffe was admitted to No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance on 15 September 1916, then to the Casualty Clearing Station the same day. A few days later he was admitted to No. 5 General Hospital at Rouen. On 20 September he embarked for England per “Asturias”. There he was admitted, seriously ill, to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. It was later reported that he had been removed from the seriously ill list. At the Mackenzie County Council meeting in early October 1916, the chairman referred to the fact that a soldier from the district, Private Alex Keeffe, had been wounded. It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to his relatives. 25/989 Rifleman Alex. Bruce Smith Keefe (New Zealand Rifle Brigade), shepherd, of Kimbell, Fairlie, was struck off the Strength of the NZEF and invalided home per the Hospital Ship “Maheno”. The “Maheno”, which had been on cross-Channel duty, left Southampton on 28 October 1916 and arrived back in New Zealand on 22 December 1916, bringing “scores of men snatched from the jaws of death in the terrible Somme fighting to enjoy what all sincerely hope will be the happiest Christmas of their lives.” The Mayor of Timaru received a telegram from Auckland on 20 December, which stated that the South Canterbury soldiers who had arrived by the “Maheno” would arrive at Timaru by the second express from Christchurch on 22 December. Among the men expected to arrive was Rifle A. B. S. Keefe. The hospital ship did arrive in Lyttelton shortly after 9am on 22 December, to disembark sixty-one maimed or wounded men – details from the front. “The wounded and invalided looked remarkably well on the whole, though a great many were very wan and white in spite of the trip. They were greeted with hearty cheers. There was no ceremony in the landing. The men were got off the boat as quickly as possible, and the train steamed off for Christchurch, . . . .”

A large social was held in the Fairlie Public Hall in January 1917, to farewell the men of the Twenty-third Reinforcements and also to welcome home Rifleman Keeffe, who had been wounded in the arm. He was given a most enthusiastic reception, and the hope was expressed that he would soon recover the use of his injured limb. Appropriate speeches were made, and dances and songs filled a lengthy programme. When Private C. Halstead’s final leave expired in April 1917, he was tendered an opportunity to meet and bid good-bye to as many of his numerous Kimbell friends as possible, the local school room being the scene of marked animation. On behalf of those present, a few words of welcome were also addressed to two returned soldiers present — Privates Bates and Alex Keeffe, who were wished a speedy recovery to their pre-war good health and strength. The evening was filled with dancing, musical items, and the singing of “Soldiers of New Zealand” by a wee tot. A. B. S. Keeffe was discharged on 26 April 1917, no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in action. His Discharge and Armlet had been posted on 24 April. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

In 1921, Alexander married Catherine Sarah O'Connor, a sister of some of the O'Connor men from Fairlie district who served in World War One. They had one son, Edgar John Keeffe. Alex returned to his shepherding at Burke’s Pass. In 1928 Alex and Catherine were at Kingsdown, he now a labourer; by 1931 they were in Timaru. Catherine, who had been a member of the Park Bowling Club, Timaru, in 1938, moved to Petone in 1941. Did she follow their son? Or did son Edgar follow his mother? Edgar John Keeffe was at Silverstream (Wellington) when he passed the Public Service Entrance Examination in November 1942. Thereafter, Catherine is at the Central Fire Station in Wellington. When Edgar John Keeffe enlisted for service in World War Two, he was a civil servant at Island Bay and named his mother as next-of-kin. Edgar served with Jayforce (British Commonwealth Occupation Force) in Japan from 1946 to 1948. The whereabouts of Alexander Keeffe from 1939 to 1945 is not apparent. He may, however, have been residing at Rannerdale Home, having been severely affected by his service. It may be that he lost an arm. In 1946 he was in Christchurch, retired, and in 1949 of no occupation. From 1949 till the late 1950s he was at Oamaru, a pensioner. In 1960, he was at Waikari Hill, Peel Forest, the home of his widowed sister, Jane Elizabeth Allan (Jean). He then moved into Geraldine, as did Jean, and it was with Jean that he resided for his last few years.

Alexander Bruce Smith Keeffe died at Timaru (of 29 Wilson Street, Geraldine) on 17 July 1971, aged 77 years. Following a service at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Geraldine, he was buried in Services Section of Geraldine Cemetery. He shares a plot with Archie Davis, who had also lived in Wilson Street and had died the day before. A services plaque marks each man. His next-of-kin at death was his son – Mr E. G.[J.] Keeffe, H.Q. NZ Army Force, Far East, C/o GPO, Singapore. Alex was survived by his son Edgar and two youngest sisters, Jean and Grace. Catherine Sarah Keeffe had died on 23 March 1958 at Wellington and was buried at Karori Cemetery. Both Alexander and Catherine named their son Edgar John Keeffe as executor of their Wills. As Edgar was resident abroad, serving with the New Zealand Forces in Singapore, when his father died, he appointed an Attorney – Alexander Edgar Allan, of Geraldine, retired farmer - to act on his behalf, this Attorney being granted administration of the estate. Alexander Edgar Allan was the son of Jane Elizabeth née Keeffe and, thus, a cousin of Edgar J. Keeffe. Both Alexander Edgar Allan and his brother, Wilfred Lloyd George Allan, were sureties for the administration. The residue of the estate was to go to his son Edgar. Catherine was still in Timaru when she signed her Will in November 1940. She appointed her brother (Patrick Martin O’Connor) as executor. The proceeds of her estate were to be held in trust for her son Edgar John Keeffe.

Alexander’s brother Edgar Joseph Keeffe was killed in action at Gallipoli. Their eldest brother George James Keeffe was next-of-kin for both Alec and Edgar. George was called up in 1918. He had married in 1904 and had one daughter. Mrs Keeffe (Kimbell) was elected in January 1917 to a group to manage Fairlie’s Patriotic Shop. The shop had recently met with success and a decision was made to continue it in the interests of the local war guilds (Fairlie, Cricklewood and Kimbell). This would have been George’s wife Elizabeth. Alfred Keeffe, older brother of Edgar and Alexander, donated to the Mackenzie County Prisoners of War Fund in October 1918. George James Keeffe and Alfred John Keeffe who were both married men with children, were listed in the World War One Reserves. Besides his son Edgar, at least one nephew of Alexander served in World War Two – Wilfred Lloyd George Allan. Alma Mabel Keeffe’s husband, Murdoch Kerr, served in World War One after their divorce; Kate Agnes Keeffe’s husband, Cecil Bertram Anderson, had served before their marriage; and Jane Elizabeth Keeffe’s husband, Alexander Allan, served after their marriage. There is a photo of Alexander Bruce Smith Keeffe in Onward: Portraits of the NZEF, Vol. 1.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [13 April 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0062917) [14 November 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (DIA) [14 April 2014]; Timaru Herald, 29 April 1889, 4 May 1891, 15 November 1894, 16 February 1897, 30 April 1897, 18 October 1897, 27 November 1903, 13 January 1905, 8 September 1905, 26 December 1905, 11 January 1906, 30 June 1906, 11 18 August 1910, 16 June 1914, 18 August 1914, 6 & 14 October 1915, 1 January 1916, 7 October 1916, 1, 14 & 21 December 1916, 16 & 23 January 1917, 18 April 1917, 2 & 4 February 1918, 25 October 1918, South Canterbury Times, 25 January 1900, Thames Star, 3 October 1916, 29 November 1916, NZ Times, 20 November 1916, Star, 22 December 1916, Press, 23 December 1916, Lyttelton Times, 23 December 1916 (Papers Past) [14 April 2014; 23 July 2014; 25 August 2014; 05 October 2014; 03 & 04 May 2015; 15 June 2015; 18 May 2017; 16 August 2022; 12 February 2023; 19 July 2025]; Geraldine Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council)[14 April 2014]; Timaru Herald, 19 & 20 July 1971 (Timaru District Library) [14 November 2014]; SCRoll web submission from John McBeth, 22 April 2015; Christchurch Catholic Diocese Baptisms Index CD (held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [03 May 2015]; School Admission Records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [03 May 2015]; Marriage & Birth indexes England (Free BDM) [04 May 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [14 November 2014; 19 July 2025]; Family Trees (ancestry.com.au) [03 May 2015]; Probate records (Archives NZ Collections – Record number TU35/1972) [20 July 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS