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Doyleston men who served in the Boer War
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TitleDoyleston men whoserved in the Boer War
DescriptionPremier Richard Seddon sent volunteer troops to South Africa in 1899.
They were the first of ten contingents, each sent with a patriotic celebration, comprising 6500 men plus 600 horses. 35 NZ nurses also served.
The peace treaty was signed on 31 May 1902.
232 NZ men died, 57% of disease. Only one horse, Major, came home.
KELLY, Arthur - Private SA5672 South Island Regiment – E Squadron of the 8th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles
Arthur was born to William and Ellen Kelly of Doyleston. He was 28 when he enlisted from Addington, on 18 January, 1902.
He was a Catholic, and was working on St Leonard’s station in Cheviot, North Canterbury at the time of his enlistment.
He had served two years with the Amuri Rifles as a Trooper.
Arthur sailed on the Cornwall on the 8 February 1902 arriving in Durban on March 15, 1902.
The 8th Contingent sailed for home in July 1902 after distinguishing themselves.
After the War, Arthur worked on farms in Doyleston, including his father’s. He was working for John A. Scott on Branch Drain Road in 1926, when he took his own life.
KELLY, Thomas - Private SA9294
South Island Regiment – F Squadron of the 10th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles
Thomas was born in 1881, the fourth son of William and Ellen.
He was a Catholic and was 21 when he enlisted in 1902.
He was working as a wagoner on St Leonard’s Station, before he left for South Africa on the 19 April 1902, three months after his brother Arthur.
He returned to New Zealand in 1902, taking up farming and marrying Rose Ellen McConaghey.
In 1906 joined the police force and by 1930 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant in Auckland becoming the Police Prosecutor for many years serving in many high-profile cases.
He later shifted to Stratford, as District Commander. He retired to Auckland where he died.
His headstone states: “Thomas, Police Sergeant, loved husband of Mary Margaret Kelly, born Doyleston South Island 1881, died 30 June 1960 aged 80 years also his wife Mary Margaret died 17 July 1973”.
McCONAGHEY, John - Private SA5686
South Island Regiment – E Squadron of the 8th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles
John McConaghey was the second son of Joseph and Margaret McConaghey.
He had been a member of the Ellesmere Guards.
He was a Catholic and was working for Andrew Quigley when he enlisted in Addington, on 7 January 1902, aged 19 years.
John sailed with Arthur Kelly.
On the 12 April, two trains collided in Machavie, killing 14 men and killing and injuring horses.
John was kicked by a struggling horse and suffered a knee injury.
On returning home, John married Martha Patterson in 1907.
John’s knee injury worsened and he eventually lost part of his leg. He carried on using a crutch.
He was a good shooter and donated the McConaghey Shield which is still competed for.
They shifted to Gisborne, working there until his sudden death in January 1936.
John is buried in the East Cape Cemetery at Taruheru.
Information from Papers Past
Shona McCartin, Doyleston.
Ellesmere Historical Society.
Date27 February 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionPremier Richard Seddon sent volunteer troops to South Africa in 1899. They were the first of ten contingents, each sent with a patriotic celebration, comprising 6500 men plus 600 horses. 35 NZ nurses also served.
The peace treaty was signed on 31 May 1902.
232 NZ men died, 57% of disease. Only one horse, Major, came home.
KELLY, Arthur - Private SA5672 South Island Regiment – E Squadron of the 8th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles
Arthur was born to William and Ellen Kelly of Doyleston. He was 28 when he enlisted from Addington, on 18 January, 1902.
He was a Catholic, and was working on St Leonard’s station in Cheviot, North Canterbury at the time of his enlistment.
He had served two years with the Amuri Rifles as a Trooper.
Arthur sailed on the Cornwall on the 8 February 1902 arriving in Durban on March 15, 1902.
The 8th Contingent sailed for home in July 1902 after distinguishing themselves.
After the War, Arthur worked on farms in Doyleston, including his father’s. He was working for John A. Scott on Branch Drain Road in 1926, when he took his own life.
KELLY, Thomas - Private SA9294
South Island Regiment – F Squadron of the 10th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles
Thomas was born in 1881, the fourth son of William and Ellen.
He was a Catholic and was 21 when he enlisted in 1902.
He was working as a wagoner on St Leonard’s Station, before he left for South Africa on the 19 April 1902, three months after his brother Arthur.
He returned to New Zealand in 1902, taking up farming and marrying Rose Ellen McConaghey.
In 1906 joined the police force and by 1930 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant in Auckland becoming the Police Prosecutor for many years serving in many high-profile cases.
He later shifted to Stratford, as District Commander. He retired to Auckland where he died.
His headstone states: “Thomas, Police Sergeant, loved husband of Mary Margaret Kelly, born Doyleston South Island 1881, died 30 June 1960 aged 80 years also his wife Mary Margaret died 17 July 1973”.
McCONAGHEY, John - Private SA5686
South Island Regiment – E Squadron of the 8th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles
John McConaghey was the second son of Joseph and Margaret McConaghey.
He had been a member of the Ellesmere Guards.
He was a Catholic and was working for Andrew Quigley when he enlisted in Addington, on 7 January 1902, aged 19 years.
John sailed with Arthur Kelly.
On the 12 April, two trains collided in Machavie, killing 14 men and killing and injuring horses.
John was kicked by a struggling horse and suffered a knee injury.
On returning home, John married Martha Patterson in 1907.
John’s knee injury worsened and he eventually lost part of his leg. He carried on using a crutch.
He was a good shooter and donated the McConaghey Shield which is still competed for.
They shifted to Gisborne, working there until his sudden death in January 1936.
John is buried in the East Cape Cemetery at Taruheru.
Information from Papers Past
Shona McCartin, Doyleston.
Ellesmere Historical Society.
Date27 February 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
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Doyleston men who served in the Boer War (27 February 2020). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5293