Emily Harriet Bicknell

Emily married Robert McKeich on 8 Mar 1876 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Robert (son of James McKeich and Mary Betts) was born on 5 Sep 1855 in Mount Arrowratt, Fiery Creek, Victoria, Australia; died on 4 Jun 1902 in Boer War, Vereeniging, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Birth: 5 September 1855. Ref # 1297/1855, Schedule A, District of Collingwood, Victoria
Marriage: 8 March 1876. Ref # 7, Copy of Register of Marriage, # 628, District of Dunedin.
Death: 4 June 1902. Ref Telegram from Commanding Officer, 9th NZ Regiment.

Detailed information about Robert can be found in "The McKeich Family History" compiled by his great grandson Bill McKeich and also in the "Boer War Diary " of Lieutenant Robert McKeich, 9th NZ Contingent, transcribed by Bill McKeich.

Copies of the Diary have been lodged in the Lawrence Museum, National Archives and the Waiouru War Museum where the original manuscript is held.

Robert left Melbourne on 18 December 1875 aboard the Ringarooma and landed in Invercargill on Friday 24 December 1875. His age was given as 29. He was in fact only 20.

There is a record of " Mrs Bicknel" travelling on the Ringarooma on the same dates as Robert. Could this have been the 18 year old Emily? Emily was very pregnant and she and Robert married in
March 1876 and their eldest child Jim was born two months later.

1. James Henry McKeich was born on 6 May 1876 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; died on 27 Jul 1961 in Levin, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand; was buried in Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand.
2. Ada McKeich was born on 1 Nov 1879 in Lawrence, Central, Otago, New Zealand; died on 20 Jul 1882 in Lawrence, Central, Otago, New Zealand.
3. Walter Ernest McKeich was born on 9 Jan 1882 in Lawrence, Central, Otago, New Zealand; died on 18 Jun 1965 in Te Awamutu, Waipa, New Zealand.
4. Ethel Maud McKeich was born on 6 May 1885 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; died on 21 Apr 1915 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
5. Robert William McKeich was born on 8 Mar 1895 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; died on 18 Apr 1944 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.