A keen man
My Grandfather Kenneth Mair Holdaway was born in Masterton in 1890 — the last of 10 children.
He was a teacher when the first world war broke out and tried to apply for service but was disqualified because of an old injury to his leg from a kick by a horse that left him with a limp. He was rather accident prone throughout his life.
However, he tried again in 1916 and this time his perserverance paid off. He was accepted by the army and was soon on a troopship for England as a Lance Corporal engaged in clerical work with the 30th Reinforcements.
Going by the accounts of my father, he 'enjoyed' three years in Torquay, Devonshire before coming back to New Zealand.
Instead of returning to teaching he made the decision to help his now elderly parents farm their land near Hamilton. Within two years had married my Grandmother and was well on the way to his final role of a Baptist minister.
~ Jennifer Holdaway
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