Keith Elliott, about 1942
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Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Alexander Turnbull Library, War History Collection (PAColl-4161)
Reference:
DA-12682-F
Photograph by H Paton
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Tukunga
Keith Elliott was my father.
Elizabeth (not verified)
15 o Ākuhata 2013
Keith Elliott was my father. He was a wonderful loving Dad and loved his family. I will always remember the family holidays we had at Opotamama Beach Blue Bay Park, and also Lake Waikaremoana. I remember the time I caught my first trout with Dad. Dad loved fishing and taught us all how to use a fly rod. We had such happy holidays at Mokau landing staying in the cabins that had been built with the stones and rocks from the lake.
Dad was a wonderful man and helped all those that needed help or support. I always remember our house in Kelburn there was always someone staying or visiting that Dad was helping. My Mum was always there, a stay home Mum. Mum played the organ for Dad for his Sunday Services or for weddings and funerals. Dad married all of us and also christened our children. That was very special for our family. Dad never spoke about the war and I was 11 yrs old before I knew he had won a VC. He kept in touch with all the men that had been in his battalion 22nd battalion. Dad was well known all over NZ and Mum and Dad had friends all over NZ. Dad was away over seas, dedicating a memorial in El Alamein when I was born. I remember a few years ago I was asked to speak at a school and to talk about how Dad had won his VC. I had no idea and so I got his book and read the relevant chapters. I was so surprised when I realised that he had gone out that day on the ridge to rescue a bat man who had been shot down and had lost an eye. So he was thinking about helping that man and as a result of his actions and bravery, he was awarded the VC. He told me that man lived. Dad was a loving Grandpa to his grand children. My sons remember special holidays at Lake Waikaremoana with Grandpa Elliott.
We all miss him and have such wonderful memories of him that we treasure. Love you Dad xxxxx Thanks for being such a wonderful person in my life. All my love, your daughter, Elizabeth
Sir Keith Elliott, A man of
David Lavery (not verified)
27 o Oketopa 2020
Sir Keith Elliott, A man of courage, Empathy, Sincerity whom was partial to a drop or two. Here is a short event i witnessed one summer day around 1970 that encapsulates the real essence of the great MAN. i was walking to our local shop in Makara (wellington) and i happened to look over at the grave yard across the road in the church grounds and saw dirt coming up from the ground. I assumed it was my Dad Cliff Gaskin (whom) worked at the main Makara cemetery. I then jumped the fence to go and say hello and saw a half full gallon of beer and expected to see my Dad ! to my "shock" Sir Keith Elliott (the local pastor) he had just finished (by pick & shovel) digging a grave by hand & by himself, then climbed out and continued to empty the gallon jar of beer, he then said hows your Dad? I said i thought you were him as i looked down at the near empty flagon with a grin, i said why are you digging the grave? Wiping his brow with a sense of achievement look on his face, he simply said... just helping out a family in need. A true good old Kiwi bloke. As a 10 year old country kid, i never questioned the flagon of beer and never forgot that moment, over the next 50 years ago. RIP Sir Keith Elliott. Gone but not forgotten.
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