Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Harriet Barbara Fleet was born in 1868, one of the seven children to Richard and Jessie nee McKenzie. Jessie’s family were originally from Nova Scotia and settled in Waipu. Richard was born in Sevenoaks, Kent, England and arrived in 1849 with 65th Regiment of Foot. He took his discharge and preferred to remain in the colony. He lived at Waipu and was for years in charge of the Cave and Ruakaka schools.
In 1891 Harriet married Donald William McKenzie in Waipu. Donald was the 35 year old son of William and Annabella, one of the pioneer settlers, his father coming in the ship Highland Lass, the second vessel to bring the migrants front Nova Scotia to Waipu. He spent, part of his early life in the kauri bush workings, later taking up farming at Waipu after his marriage, where seven children were born.
- William Murdoch (1892–1925)
- Richard (1893–1971)
- Daisy (1895–1985)
- Allan (1897–1972)
- Jessie (1899–1987)
- Annabella (1901–1969)
- Doris (1904–1998)
Three sons served in WW1. William was the eldest. He was a telegraph linesman before joining up as a sapper and embarked for Suez in 1916. In 1925 he and his wife died of the Spanish flu. Richard enlisted as a sapper in 1915, was at Gallipoli in 1915 and later, France. Allan was a telegraph cadet when he signed on in July 1918, so escaped much of the war. All returned home safely after the war.
Donald was employed by the Whangarei County Council for 25 years, retiring from the council's employ when he was over 80 years old. He died 23 January 1939 at Waipu and is buried in the Waipu Cemetery. Donald left no will, but son John took over administration of his father’s estate, worth 1000 pounds because his mother Jessie, 'because of her age and bodily infirmity' was unable to do so. At that time, there were four daughters living (Jessie and Annabella unmarried) and three sons, William having died in 1925 leaving three minor children.
Harriet died only six months later in June 1939, at Waipu Cove, aged 74, and was buried with her husband at Waipu Cemetery.
Sources
Archway probate
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23253, 24 January 1939, Page 12
