McKay Donald John 1894

Donald John McKay


known as Chappie

1894-1965

Father Nm: Alexander Mckay, b. 1855, Clerkenwell, Middlesex d. 1927

Mother Nm: Lydia Jane Blencowe, b. 1859, Lambeth J.Q. d. 6 Aug 1933,

Mother and Father

Marriage Dt:February 1921

K comments: Brother Alexander Dick Charles served in WW1

Son Walter Donald was killed in 1943 serving with the NZAF in WW2

Spouse comments:Ivy Martha *Nuki* Wrathall BIRTH 25 JULY 1900 • Mangonui Far North New Zealand DEATH 20 APR 1983 • Auckland, New Zealand

Children. Walter Donald McKay BIRTH 11 JANUARY 1922 • Mangonui, Far North District, Northland, New Zealand DEATH 3 FEB 1943 • Wairau Valley, Marlborough, Marlborough, New Zealand

Born 1894

22 Feb 1894 Kaitai, New Zealand

  • About 1910. When he left school most probably Chappie went to work in the McKay Wharf Store and did so until 1943.

    The McKay Wharf Sore circa 1910
WW1

NZ Rifle Brigade

Donald John Mckay Rifleman, Lance Corporal, 26/1185, Company D 4th Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade 

Note:

The New Zealand Rifle Brigade (Earl of Liverpool’s Own), affectionately known as The Dinks, was formed on 1 May 1915 as the third brigade of the New Zealand Division, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. During the First World War it fought in Egypt, against the Senussi, and then on the Western Front. It was disbanded on 4 February 1919.

1915
1916
  • September. On arrival in France 4th Bn RB wasmoved to the Somme where the whole Rifle Brigade was stationed in reserve in Armentières, as was divisional headquarters. Each brigade spent 10–14 days in the trenches, followed by a week in reserve.

    Armentières sector 1916
1917
  • 7 June. Capture of Messines.
    On map of the June 1917 attack the movements of the NZ Division to the right flank of Messines

    The New Zealand units in the vanguard, two battalions each of 2nd and 3rd (Rifle) Brigades, were soon in the ruins of Messines, mopping up dazed and demoralised Germans. With everything going to schedule, the New Zealanders had cleared Messines of the enemy by 7 a.m. .  Casualties for the 4th Bn were 53 killed on this day. Another 29 men were killed in this month at Messines.

  • July. The 4th bn in the Ypres sector trenches lost 4 men this month two on the 7th July probably all from sniper or shell fire.
  • August-September. 4th Bn in trenches in the Ypres Sector 12 men killed in August and 7 in September
  • 4 October. Battle of Broodseinde. The battalion participated in this battle, capturing the heights of  Graventafel.
    The 4th Bn NZ Rifle Brigade took part in this attack Frederick William Blencowe and his 21st battalion of the 2nd Australian Division attacked directly towards Broodseinde

     

  • 12 October, Passchendaele. The 4th battalion faced heavy machine-gun fire at Wolf Copse and Peter Pan, northwest of Bellevue. They were part of the attack on the well-defended heights of Bellevue, but the offensive faced significant challenges due to persistent rain and shelling.

Note: The 4th Battalion suffered heavy casualties during these battles, with 182 killed, 898 wounded, and 134 missing 5 

  • November-December. Further trench duty in the Ypres salient and loss of 28 men in these two months.
1918
  • 24 March. German Spring Offensive. The New Zealand Division, recovering in northern France after a difficult winter in the Ypres Salient, was among forces rushed south to the Somme. It began moving by train on 24 March.
  • Marc-April. (0 men of the battalion killed in this period in a rearguard defensive action between Grevillers to Doullens.

    Locations of cemeteries of men killed between late March and end of April show a trajectory retreating west. Source: Geoffs Search Engine database
  • August. The 4th Bn were positioned near Bapaume, France, and took part in several key battles as part of the 100 days war. Casualties high for the month 69 men killed
1919
Medals
Awarded British War Medal and Victory Medal
Sources
    1. Find My Past  and BFA database
    2. National Archives New Zealand
    3. Familysearch.com
    4. History of NZ Rifle Brigade
    5. archives.passchendael.be
After the War
  • 1933. When his mother died Chappie and Niki moved into what was the McKay family home near the Wharf Store .
  • 1933 Chappie inherited the properties in Mangonui including the Wharf Store and its business becoming store owner
  • Appointed to the Mangonui Council
  • January 1944. The Mckays moved to Auckland from Mangonui, Northland.

Death 1965

Died while visiting his Daughter in Dargaville

1 May 1965 Dargaville, NZ

Gallery

There are service records in the National Archives for this person they can be viewed https://collections.archives.govt.nz/