Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Ernest James Keay, born on 17 July 1894 at Timaru, was the fourth son of John and Christina Binnie (née Smart) Keay. John and Christina, who both hailed from Scotland, married in 1880 at Knox Church, Dunedin. The first five of their ten children were born in Otago. Ernest the seventh child, was born after the move to Timaru. The two eldest children started their schooling at Port Chalmers. When the family moved to Timaru in October 1890, they transferred to Timaru Main School. Ernest was educated at the Timaru Main School located close to his home, joining his older siblings there two months after his fifth birthday.

At the annual meeting for Timaru Main School in April 1904, it was reported that the “new janitor, Mr Keay, entered upon his duties at the beginning of the year, and has given unqualified satisfaction, his kindly interest in the children, and ready assistance in everything connected with the school, being greatly appreciated.” The new janitor was John Keay senior. At the 1906 annual meeting, Mr Keay was thanked for the thorough manner in which his duties had been performed. In December of the same year, Mr Keay, the janitor, was voted a special donation of £1 from the committee, in recognition of his excellent services in connection with the garden party. The committee would also again express it appreciation, at the 1907 annual meeting, of the services of the janitor, Mr Keay, “who has always performed his duties in a painstaking and highly satisfactory manner.” At a function in December 1909, opportunity was also taken by the staff of “marking their appreciation of the many kindnesses shown them by Mr and Mrs Keay, the headmaster presenting them with a handsome piece of silverware, as a gift from the teachers.” When school committee members visited the school on its opening for the 1914 year, it was reported that the school had never looked better or cleaner than it was at that time. The outhouses were also nice and clean and also the gardens and grounds. The visitors had not been better satisfied on any visit to the school, and it was a credit to Mr Keay, the janitor. Prior to the war Ernest James Keay was listed in the 1910 Timaru Technical School admission rolls, aged 15 years old, as living on Theodosia St Timaru. Subjects taken were given as “Wool classing”. He was working in the Albury area in 1914, it seems, as in July he was selected to represent Chamberlain in their football match against Albury.

Ernest J. Keay, Timaru, was among the recruits passed by the medical men for the Reinforcements in Timaru in mid July 1915. He had been medically examined on 12 July. Standing at 5 feet 10½ inches and weighing 147 pounds, with a chest measurement of 33-35½ inches, he had a dark complexion, grey eyes grey and black hair black. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. His upper teeth were partly false, his lower good. He was free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health. Ernest belonged to the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment but had been discharged by request. He enlisted at Trentham on 25 August 1915, when just 21 years old. He had been a motor mechanic and he was now a chauffeur for J. S. Rutherford at Albury, giving his Timaru home address, single and Presbyterian. He named his father as next-of-kin – John Keay, Theodocia Street, Timaru.

The Chamberlain Bible Class and choir had held a social and presentation on 20 August 1915, to bid farewell to Ernest Keay, who was leaving the district to go with the 8th Reinforcements. He was presented with a wristlet watch and congratulated on the course he had taken. He was also presented with a travelling rug by the employees of Opawa estate, where he had been held in high esteem. Mr Keay thanked all for their kindness, and said he would try and uphold the honour that New Zealanders at the Dardanelles had won. E. J. Keay was one of the South Canterbury men who received an enthusiastic farewell when they left Timaru for Trentham on 25 August 1915. Headed by the 8th Regimental Band, they marched from the Drill Hall to the railway station, where the mayor complimented them and assured them of a hearty welcome on their return. The crowds who thronged the station and its precincts, cheered the departing soldiers again and again. On 8 October 1915, when Private E. Keay, an old Main School boy, was home on his final leave from the 8th Reinforcements, the opportunity was taken by the school to say au revoir. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 18 October and then to Sergeant on 13 November. Corporal E. J. Keay was admitted to the Military Hospital at Tauherenikau Camp on 27 October 1915, with acute bronchitis. He had a sore throat and a temperature. He was a of temperate habits and there was no trace of any disease in the family. His disease was not serious. He was discharged on 30 October following satisfactory treatment.

Sergeant E. J. Keay embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the 8th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 13 November 1915 per the “Willochra”. Disembarking at Suez on 20 December 1915, he joined his Battalion at Ismailia on 9 January 1916 and reverted to the rank of Private the next day. Private Keay embarked at Port Said for France on 6 August 1916 per the “Franconia”. He was wounded in action in the Field on 25 September 1916 and was admitted to No. 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen on 27 September wounded in the left thigh. Attached to the Strength of the New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot at Etaples, France on 3 October 1916, Private E. Keay rejoined his battalion on 23 October.

He was appointed Lance Corporal on 4 May 1917, in France. Sent to hospital, sick, on 3 July 1917, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance. Two days later he was admitted to No. 54 General Hospital in France, suffering from pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin. Embarking for England per the “Jan Breydel” a week on 12 July 1917, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst, suffering from a mild case of Trench Fever. The Trench Fever ran a normal course, but while Keay was at the Morant Auxiliary Hospital bronchial asthmatic attacks occurred and were especially severe in the early morning. His general health was good. “While at the Aux. hosp. severe bronchial attacks developed and lasted 7 days. Previous history shows that he has had asthma all his life, including one bad attack when in Featherston Camp prior to embarkation.” (NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst – Medical Report prepared at Brockenhurst on 5 September 1917.) Although Keay’s illness was the result of a pre-existing condition, it was probably not helped by exposure while he was on active service. It was recommended that he be sent to New Zealand for discharge as permanently unfit for Active Service.

Classified unfit by the Medical Board (England) on 19 September 1917, he was to report at the Discharge Depot at Torquay on 28 September. He was discharged from the Red Cross Hospital at Torquay on 10 October. Still there at Torquay, he was admitted to the temporary hospital on 12 October with a severe attack of asthma and again on 20 October after a second attack. It was on 2 November 1917 that he was discharged from the temporary Hospital and transferred to the Discharge Depot at Torquay. Ernest James Keay returned to New Zealand on a hospital ship. He was one of 442 wounded and invalided soldiers (the walking wounded from the Somme and Messines - no serious cases, all walking cases) who returned to New Zealand on the hospital ship “Tainui” (Draft No. 130), embarking at Plymouth on 2 November 1917, arriving at Auckland and reaching Lyttelton by ferry steamer on 5 January 1918. He was in a small group of South Canterbury men who had returned home invalided and were given a hearty reception. The Mayor congratulated them on the service they had rendered their country, thanked them on behalf of the people of South Canterbury, and expressed the hope that they would soon be restored to normal health again. A Provisional Medical Board had been assembled on board the Troopship “Tainui” at the Port of Auckland on 3 January, with regard to his asthma. His progress was stationary. Discharge was recommended. 6/3369 L/Corp E. J. Keay was granted sick leave from 4 January 1918 to 10 January. He was discharged on 31 January 1918, no longer physically fit for war service, and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in Egypt and Western Europe.

Ernest married Susannah Frances Butler (known as Sue) in 1918. Their daughter Joyce who was born in 1922, was educated at Timaru Main School and Timaru Girls’ High School. Ernest and Sue lived for some years in Harper Street, Ernest’s mother with them. Ernest probably played cricket for Star in 1924, his brother Victor also. He was selected to represent Post and Telegraph versus Washdyke in a friendly game in October 1925. Ernest also shared the family’s musical talent. He was a member of a quartette (two ladies and two men) which sang in the sacred cantata “Day and Night” at the Woodlands Street Methodist Church in August 1929. When Helen Meek Keay, the eldest daughter of the Keay family, died in October 1929, her funeral left her brother Ernest’s Harper Street residence. At the Sunday School anniversary celebrations of the Woodlands Street Methodist Church in November 1931, Ernest’s daughter Joyce played a piano duet with Tommy Butler (her cousin?). The following month Joyce gave a pianoforte solo at a recital to augment the Baptist Church general fund; Miss Jean Keay (her cousin?) and Master T. Butler gave two pianoforte duets; and Mr E. Keay contributed a vocal solo “Until”. In mid-1932, an evening in aid of the Central Relief Fund was held, pianoforte solos or duets were given by Miss Joyce Keay, Master Tommy Butler and others; and a vocal solo (“Rose in the Bud”) by Mr E. Keay. Mr E. Keay gave a bass solo at the Baptist Church concert in September 1932. Joyce gave more performances, then in December obtained honours in her music examination.

Now, Ernest’s occupation post-war was recorded as a clerk. He joined the Post and Telegraph Department in 1920, then transferred to the Justice Department in 1934, taking up duties as bailiff of the Timaru Magistrate’s Court. In that capacity he gave instructions for the unreserved auction sale of a valuable collection of stamps which was held on 13 December 1935. Ten days later he and Joyce were again performing. When the parishioners of Woodlands Street Methodist Church gave their new minister and his wife a cordial welcome to the circuit in April 1936, Mr E. J. Keay gave a vocal solo. By 1937 Joyce was teaching music. Ernest also filled the position of Maintenance Officer at the court, this requiring him to proceed against those who disobeyed maintenance orders or failed to pay fines. Mr E. J. Keay, who had been a member of the staff of the Timaru Magistrate’s Court for six years, received notice at the beginning of November 1939 of his transfer, on promotion, to the Supreme Court in Christchurch, and expected to leave Timaru about 15 November. At a farewell gathering of the Magistrate’s Court staff in Mr Keay’s honour, the Magistrate said that he had carried out his duties in a most efficient manner and wished him every success in his new work. A tribute was paid on behalf of the police, and the Clerk of the Court who said that he had heard of Mr Keay’s ability as a Court crier before he had come to Timaru, had found that Mr Keay’s reputation had been fully justified. The assistant Clerk of the Court conveyed a message from a former Clerk of the Court, who took credit to himself that he had selected such a capable officer for the Department. After a member of the Court staff had paid a warm tribute to Mr Keay, a suitcase was presented to Mr Keay with the best wishes of the staff. Mr Keay suitably acknowledged the tribute. So it was, that Ernest and Susannah moved to Christchurch in 1939, when he was appointed crier and custodian at the Christchurch Supreme Court. His mother moved with them. Joyce, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs E. J. Keay married Raymond Paul Olds, of Christchurch, on 16 December 1944, at Durham Street Methodist Church.

Ernest James Keay, the custodian and crier of the Christchurch Supreme Court, had to give evidence in the case, in November 1952, of a young man charged with conspiring to defeat the course of justice. On 16 February 1951, the Court crier (Mr E. J. Keay) called “Silence,” and continued: “Oyez. oyez, oyez. All manner of persons are commanded to keep silence whilst the sentence of death is pronounced by the Court upon the prisoner at the bar.” This may well have been Mr Keay’s hardest call. There were some long, drawn oh’s and clapping, quickly stilled by the call of the Court Crier (Mr E. J. Keay) for silence, when a jury in the Supreme Court in August 1953 found a production manager not guilty on a charge of attempted arson. When a builder was called in the Supreme Court in February 1955 on a charge of false pretences he did not appear and a bench warrant for his apprehension was issued. The Court crier (Mr E. J. Keay) called the name loudly inside the Court and then outside. He returned to report that there was “no appearance, your Honour.” A ceremony, brief but thought to be unique in the Canterbury district, took place in the Christchurch Supreme Court on 30 April 1957 when the opening of the session was adjourned. The door of the public entrance was opened wide and at 10.30 a.m. the Registrar, accompanied by the Deputy-Registrar, went to his seat on the dais in front of the Judge’s Bench. The Court crier (Mr E. J. Keay) announced to two newspaper reporters that: “This Honourable Court stands adjourned to May 14 at 10.30 a.m.” — a pause, then “Silence” as the Registrar left the Courtroom. The adjournment was necessary because the resident Judge had to preside at the hearing of a mining case at Westport. These instances provide a sample of the role of a court crier.

Ernest James Keay died suddenly at his Christchurch residence (which adjoined the Court) on 4 May 1959, aged 64 years. He was survived by his wife Sue, their only daughter Joyce (Mrs Olds) and a grandson. After a service at the Durham Street Methodist Church, he was cremated at the Canterbury Crematorium. By his Will which was signed at Timaru in 1934, he bequeathed all his property to his wife and appointed her sole executrix and trustee. He was a popular and respected figure at the Christchurch Supreme Court, where he was court crier and custodian for 20 years. Known familiarly among barristers, Court officers, and reporters as “Ernie,” he was renowned for his constant vigilance and example in upholding the dignity of the Court. Susannah moved to a new address in Christchurch, then to Wellington to live with her daughter. She died on 2 November 1966 at Wellington and was cremated at Karori Crematorium after a service at the Wesley Church. Her ashes were interred with Ernest’s at the Canterbury Memorial Gardens where there is a plaque inscribed to both, and with Ernest’s service number. E. Keay’s name is inscribed on the Albury Football Club’s Roll of Honour for the Great War 1914-1919 in the column headed Wounded. At least 69 members of the Albury Football Club served in the war, 17 being killed in action.

His brother, David Smith Laing Keay, also served in World War One, and his brother Victor Hugh Keay enlisted. Their eldest brother, John Keay, had married secondly, in 1912, Edith Rose Bladin, a sister of John Shore Bladin who served with the New Zealand Forces and Henry William Bladin who served with the Australian Forces and died of wounds in France in 1917. Edith died at Timaru just seven months after marriage. John Keay, engine driver, 12 Bank Street, Timaru, who was called up in 1917, was drawn by lot from the Second Division, Class C in August 1918. This was probably Ernest’s oldest brother. The janitor of the Timaru Technical School, Mr John Keay, who had been janitor of the school since its opening about 12 years ago, had found it necessary to resign his position in August 1917, owing to ill health. A representative gathering of the managers and teaching staff of the Timaru Technical School met on the afternoon of 27 August to make a presentation to Mr John Keay, the late janitor, who was severing his connection with the school. The chairman of the board made the presentation and in doing so expressed the regret of those connected with the school that Mr Keay had found it necessary to resign. He had been connected with the school from the very beginning and had taken a real interest in its welfare. Mr Keay had rendered the school long and faithful services. All owed a great deal to Mr Keay’s kindness and tact. Mr Keay could and did render a great deal of assistance to the school outside the usual duties of his office. It was hoped Mr Keay would long enjoy the use of his chair that was presented to him as a mark of the appreciation of the work he had done in connection with the school. Mr Keay on behalf of Mrs Keay and himself thanked those present for what they had said and for the chair. He had been connected with the school from the very beginning and had never been appointed to the position. He just took it, and without being told what he should do and should not do, he had done what he thought was in the best interests of the school. In December, the Timaru Main School committee noted that Mr Keay was seriously ill. John Keay died at Christchurch on 23 August 1918, the Board of Managers of both the Timaru Technical School and the Timaru Main School committee expressing deep sympathy for Mrs Keay and family. Mrs Christina Binnie Keay died on 2 September 1948, aged 91 years, and was buried at Timaru with her husband.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [21 February 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0062875) [15 August 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz) [25 August 2024]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [08 August 2014]; Timaru Herald, 22 April 1904, 20 April 1906, 7 December 1906, 20 April 1907, 14 December 1909, 6 February 1914, 29 July 1914, 14 July 1915, 25 & 26 August 1915, 9 October 1915, 16 October 1916, 12 July 1917, 21 & 28 August 1917, 17 September 1917, 5 & 7 January 1918, 21 August 1918, 15 February 1924, 9 October 1925, 29 August 1929, 26 October 1929, 17 November 1931, 10 December 1931, 4 July 1932, 9 January 1934, 13 & 23 December 1935, 17 April 1936, 27 May 1938, 23 December 1938, 3, 4 & 17 November 1939, 16 December 1948, NZ Herald, 14 October 1916, Sun, 3 January 1918, Press, 4 January 1918, 20 January 1945, 17 February 1951, 22 November 1952, 19 August 1953, 3 February 1955, 1 May 1957, 5 & 6 May 1959, 4 November 1966 (Papers Past) [08 August 2014; 09 October 2014; 03 May 2016; 25 March 2020; 19 July 2020; 04 January 2021; 09, 10 & 14 July 2025]; Timaru Technical School roll book (SCRoll website submission from J James, Mountainview High School, 16 March 2015); Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search) [30 March 2016]; Timaru Herald, 6 May 1959 (Timaru District Library) [30 March 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [30 March 2016; 09 & 15 July 2025]; Canterbury Crematorium headstone plaque (Find A Grave) [14 July 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• KEAY Ernest James - newspaper clippings (pdf, 169.8 KB updated 31-Jul-2025)
• Timaru Herald 7 Jan 1918 - Welcomed home (pdf, 274.3 KB updated 12-Nov-2014)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Scoiety

Currently Assigned to

TS