1st Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth:
03/03/1883
Died:
07/06/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
34
Summary
Thomas McKee was the son of Hughie and Mary McKee. Thomas was born on 3rd March 1883 in Drumlamph, just west of Bellaghy. They were a farming family. Thomas emigrated to New Zealand. Prior to enlisting Thomas McKee was working as a labourer. He was living in Tokomaru Bay, East Coast. Thomas McKee enlisted at Trentham Military Camp. He gave his next of kin as his brother Hugh, who was also living in New Zealand. Rifleman Thomas McKee was serving with the 1st Battalion (3rd) of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 in Belgium.
Further Information
Thomas McKee was the son of Hughie and Mary McKee. Thomas was born on 3rd March 1883 in Drumlamph, just west of Bellaghy, County Londonderry.
Known family: Hugh McKee, Jane McKee, John McKee (born about 1863), Lizzie McKee (born about 1882), Thomas McKee (born about 1884).
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 17 living with the family at house 65 in Drumlamph, Rocktown, Londonderry. They were a farming family.
Thomas emigrated to New Zealand.
Prior to enlisting Thomas McKee was working as a labourer. He was living in Tokomaru Bay, East Coast.
Thomas McKee enlisted at Trentham Military Camp, near Wellington, on 30th December 1915. He gave his next of kin as his brother Hugh McKee, who was living in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
After training, his unit left Wellington, New Zealand on 1st April 1916 bound for Suez, Egypt.
On 20th May 1916, Rifleman Thomas McKee embarked from England for France with his unit.
His first action was on 1st July 1916 in the ‘Big Push’.
On 10th February 1917 he was docked three days’ pay for missing roll call.
Rifleman Thomas McKee was serving with the 1st Battalion (3rd) of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 in Belgium.
Rifleman McKee’s grave was lost and is commemorated on the Messines Ridge New Zealand Memorial.
Rifleman McKee’s medals went to his brother Hugh, who was by 1922, living in Maraekakaho, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
The CWGC record Rifleman Thomas McKee as the son of Hughie and Mary McKee. He is also listed as being a native of Clydebank, Scotland.
