Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Rennie was born on 21 September 1889 at Hatton, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the first-born of James and Catherine Anne (née Robertson) Rennie. James, junior, was at home at Cruden, Aberdeenshire, with his parents in 1891 and again in 1901 when he was a scholar with sisters and brothers. Enlisting on 4 November 1916 at Queenstown, James named as next-of-kin both his father – James Rennie, Hatton R.S.O., Aberdeen, Scotland, and his brother – John Rennie, 1 Archer Street, Timaru. He was a grain miller, his address being Whakatipu Mills, single and Presbyterian. He had served his full time with the Gordon Highlanders. Private J. Rennie embarked with the Otago Infantry Regiment of the 22nd Reinforcements, departing for Plymouth, England, per the “Aparima” on 16 February 1917. He married Isabella Kerr on 3 January 1919 at Rubislaw, Aberdeen, Scotland. Rifleman J. Rennie, Timaru, returned to New Zealand by the “Corinthic” which was due at Wellington on or about 22 September 1919, intending to go initially to his brother at 5 Clifton Terrace, Timaru, but actually going to Seadown Road, Washdyke, Timaru. He was discharged on 22 October 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal. James and Isabella had a daughter and a son, both born in New Zealand. James Rennie died at his residence (Studholme Street, Temuka) on 4 June 1967, aged 77 years. He was buried at Temuka Cemetery, Isabella with him when she died in March 1973. He was survived by his daughter and son and five grandchildren. James, senior, and Catherine Rennie emigrated to New Zealand many years later, dying at Oamaru in 1943 and 1955 respectively. The eldest daughter of the family died in 1922 in Scotland and the second daughter died in Canada. The other seven daughters and two sons joined James and John in New Zealand at various times, most marrying in New Zealand in the 1920s and 1930s. John had married in New Zealand in 1916.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [04 June 2023]; 1891 & 1901 Scotland census transcriptions (ancestry.com.au) [04 June 2023]; Temuka Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [04 June 2023]; Timaru Herald, 5 September 1919, Press, 5 June 1967 (Papers Past) [02 & 04 June 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, South Canterbruy Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.