Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Sydney Kett was born 3 January 1877 at Christchurch, the third son of Roger and Catherine (née Gunn) Kett. Roger Kett, who was an older brother of John Daniel Kett, was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He married Scottish-born Catherine Gunn in 1868 at Timaru. Like his brother Joseph, Roger was a hotel keeper, being for some time the licencee of the Criterion Hotel at Waimate. Roger and Catherine had five daughters (three dying young) and four sons, born variously at Timaru, Waimate, Kakanui, Palmerston, Christchurch and Oamaru. The family had been back in Waimate for quite a few years when Roger Kett died there on 14 October 1888. Sydney and his siblings were educated at Waimate School where in 1882 he received a good conduct prize. Mr S. Kett was successful money-wise at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting at Timaru in late April 1895. Catherine Kett remained in Waimate for some years after her husband’s death and took on the hotel business. By 1898 she had moved to Christchurch. Between school and the war, Sydney followed various occupations in various parts of the country – 1899 a butcher in Christchurch; 1899 to 1902 a tinsmith at Timaru; 1902, 1905 a carpenter at home with his mother in Christchurch; 1908 a groom at Taradale, 1911 a driver at Hastings.

When war broke out, Sydney Kett was one of the first to enlist, doing so on 17 August 1914 at Christchurch. A saddler for his oldest brother John Roger Kett, single and of Church of England allegiance, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Catherine Kett, 27 Percival Street, Sydenham, Christchurch. Corporal Kett embarked with the New Zealand Army Service Corps Divisional Train, leaving for Suez, Egypt on 16 October 1914 per the “Waimana”. Before long, he embarked for Gallipoli, but there is no record of service there. Staff-Sergeant Kett, 14/113, was invalided home per the Hospital Ship “Maheno”, embarking at Suez on 6 March 1916. He was suffering from debility following dysentery. He was struck off the Strength of the NZEF and discharged on 4 July 1916, physically unfit for War Service.

In January 1917, Mr Sydney Kett, late Staff Sergt., Army Service Corps, applied for a position as an Instructor in the Army Service Corps for the Canterbury District. It was requested that authority be given for his employment as an Instructor. “He will be exceedingly useful during the forthcoming camps, when his ability can be ascertained.” Having commenced duty on the Temporary Staff on 29 January 1917, Sydney Kett attested again on 29 August 1917 at Christchurch. He was still single, and now a carpenter for the New Zealand Defence Department, serving on the Temporary Staff. Sergeant-Major S. Kett/Sergeant Instructor S. Kett, NZ ASC, was one of those who led an instructional camp at Purau from 30 August 1917 to 6 September for officers and N.C.O.’s attending the secondary schools, Canterbury District. On 9 December 1918, Mr Kett was recommended for the position of Assistant Storeman, Otira, “he having proved himself a capable clerk and store-keeper whilst employed in this Department [Defence].” Sydney Kett was discharged on 30 June 1919 at his own request. For his service in Egypt with the Expeditionary Force he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Sergeant-Major Sydney Kett had the honour of giving away the bride at a military wedding in Christchurch in April 1916. For a few years after the war, Sydney was living in Christchurch with his mother, ‘on active service’. He married Margaret Spiers on 24 April 1924 at St Andrew’s Church, Christchurch. Mina Shirley Kett who was born in November 1924 was their only child. Sydney had resumed his occupation as a carpenter. He and Margaret were in Wellington in 1925 but back in Christchurch by 1930. Sydney was present at a bridge party organised by the Women’s Auxiliary of the R.S.A. at Christchurch in November 1931 to raise funds for the Returned Soldiers’ Association. When a jubilee reunion of Waimate School was held in October 1932, S. Kett (Sydenham), an ex-pupil of the school, extended an apology.

Sydney Kett died at Rannerdale Home, Christchurch on 23 November 1936, aged 59 years. He was buried in the RSA section of Bromley Cemetery, a service stone marking his grave. His death was caused by Chronic Myocarditis Hyperpresis. Margaret lived on a widow till September 1978 when she was cremated at Bromley. Sydney’s younger brother, George Alexander Kett, also served in World War One, as did two cousins – Joseph Grosvenor Kett and Victor Fanning Kett. A nephew, Roger Saverio Vernazoni, also served in World War One. He was a son of George’s oldest sister, Mary Ellen Kett and her husband Francis Felix Vernazoni. Flyng Officer Vernazoni, son of Roger Vernazoni, lost his life in World War Two when his plane was shot down over Holland. Harold Albert Vernazoni, another nephew, also served in World War One. And yet another nephew, Roger Martyn Kett, served in World War Two. Roger Martyn was a son of George’s oldest brother John Roger Kett and his wife Emily Grace. Alan Kett, born to John Roger Kett’s widow, also served in World War Two.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [06 June 2025]; NZ BMD Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [06 June 2025]; Timaru Herald, 26 Dec 1882, 24 October 1932, Lyttelton Times, 2 May 1895, Dominion, 24 April 1916, Star, 14 April 1916, 9 August 1917, 27 November 1931, Press, 14 August 1917, 24 November 1936 (Papers Past) [07, 09 & 10 June 2025]; Bromley Cemetery headstone transcription [07 June 2025]; Bromley Cemetery burial record (Christchurch City Council) [09 June 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

Not assigned.