Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 28/05/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold locket & albert, to:
6th New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
3761 Trooper Robert Forrest McKENZIE
Presentation made in the Waitahuna Good Templars' Hall.
Inscribed: "To Trooper McKenzie, from Waitahuna friends, 28/5/02".
_________________________________
Bruce Herald, 30th May 1902
Waitahuna
On Wednesday evening a social was given to Trooper R.F. McKENZIE, who has just returned from the seat of war in South Africa. Trooper McKENZIE was one of the Sixth Contingent, and his comrade, Farrier-Sergeant CROZIER, who left here with him 16 months ago, elected to join the Ninth at Durban, and is consequently at the seat of war now. The social was held in the Good Templars' Hall, which was full to overflowing. A short programme of songs, readings, &c., was gone through. Mr Gardner occupied the chair. Songs were sung by Miss R. Patrick, Messrs A. McKenzie and H. Bruce. Recitations were given by Miss May Watson and Mr G. Ross; Mr Barnett gave a reading; musical selections were played by Misses Patrick, West, E. Bruce, S. Cooper, and Mr W. McKenzie. At the close of the musical entertainment Mr Gardner, in a few appropriate remarks, presented Trooper McKENZIE with a beautiful gold albert and locket. The locket bore the following inscription: "To Trooper McKenzie from Waitahuna friends. 28/5/02". Short addresses were given by Messrs Barnett, Patrick, McAra and McCaw. A plentiful supply of cakes and tea was thereafter handed round; a pleasant evening was spent, and after the singing of the National Anthem, the meeting quietly dispersed.
Otago Witness, 4th June 1902
WELCOME SOCIALS.
A social was held in the Waitahuna Good Templars' Hall on Wednesday evening, to welcome home Trooper Robert McKENZIE. The hall was filled to overflowing, and the meeting was presided over by Mr Alex. Garden, who on behalf of the meeting tendered Trooper McKENZIE a hearty welcome, and expressed the pleasure of his many friends at his safe return. The large assemblage was addressed by Messrs Barnett, Patrick, McCaw, and McAra, who all delivered highly patriotic speeches, in which they made kindly reference to the guest of the evening. A programme of songs and musical selections formed the first part of the evening's proceedings, the second being taken up with the speeches, and in making a presentation to Trooper McKENZIE of a gold albert with locket attached, bearing the inscription – "To Trooper McKenzie, from Waitahuna friends, 28/5/02". During the evening refreshments in abundance were handed round. The hall and stage were tastefully decorated and draped with flags, and formed a very pleasant spectacle. Miss V. Patrick presided at the piano, the evening's entertainment concluding with the whole audience standing and joining in singing a verse of the National Anthem. Ringing cheers were given, for Trooper McKENZIE and Troopers McKAY and WILSON, of Lawrence, who were present by invitation, and who were also returned troopers of the Sixth Contingent, and to the ladies of the district belongs all the honour.
EMBARKATION DATABASE
Surname: McKENZIE
Reg No: 3761
Given Names: Robert Forrest
Contingent: Sixth
Rank: Private
Unit: No 20 Company
Joined from: Tuapeka Mounted Rifles (Trooper, 1 year)
County/City: Tuapeka
Age: 23 years
Occupation: Dredge-hand
Ship: “Cornwall”, 30 January 1901
Address: Waitahuna, Otago
Next of Kin: McKenzie, Mrs Margaret
Next of Kin Address: Waitahuna, Otago
Relationship to Soldier: mother
