Victor Klee
Photo: Victor Klee, sometime prior to 1951 (Source: Klee album; detail from group photo)
Early Days
Victor Klee was Victor and Emelie’s second New Zealand child, born at Waitati on 12 February 1878. It is uncertain what he did in the immediate years prior to volunteering to serve in the Boer War, at 23 years old.
Boer War Service
Victor decided to serve in the South African “Boer” War, along with his brothers George and Louis. In 1901, he enlisted as a Trooper in 26 Company with the 7th New Zealand Contingent.
Waitati School Historical Record
The end of the century saw the start of the Boer War and the district provided its little quota of ex-pupils who soldiered in South Africa. The Klee family made a record in this direction as three brothers, viz Louis Klee, Victor Klee, and George Klee all volunteered for the war and served overseas. On their return from the war, the Klee boys received a great welcome home in the Waitati Hall.
(Source: Waitati (Blueskin) School Souvenir History – 90th anniversary celebrations, Jubilee Committee, 1954, p. 26)
(Source: Batt album)
Move to Whangamomona
He then made his way to Whangamomona where he found employment as a storeman. For several years around 1919, there were a number of members of the Klee family also living in Whangamomona – Louis Klee employed as a barber and billiard saloon keeper, Alexander Klee employed as a clerk, with his first wife Eva “Nell” and son James “Jim” Klee, and then second wife Ellen.
(Source: Batt album)
Marriage and children
Victor was married in 1912 to Kate Agnes. They had three daughters:
- Zoe Rita – born 1914, married Francis “Frank” Bendall in 1939.
- Joan – born in 1917, married Reginald Ballinger in 1940, and then Kenneth MacDonald in 1946.
- Cora “Paddy” Josephine – born 1919, married Charles Lee in 1940.
After Zoe was born, Victor and Kate moved to Eketahuna, where Wises Directory shows that Victor worked as a grocer.
Farmer, salesman
Around 1922, Victor purchased a farm, at Whakapirau, near the Kaipara Harbour in Northland. For the young family, the country upbringing was a wonderful environment with happy memories. After a time, in a difficult economic environment with depressed prices for farm products, however, the farm did not pay, and they had to sell up and leave.
However, by 1925, Victor and Kate had relocated to Seatoun, Wellington first at 6a Munro Street, and then Ludlam Street, which was nearby to his brother George and wife Gertrude.
Victor started work as a salesman for the engineering firm John Chambers, and continued to be employed by them and relocated a number of times.
Palmerston North and Napier
During the 1930’s Victor, now recording his occupation as commercial traveller, lived at 15 Aroha Street in Palmerston North.
In the 1940’s they relocated to Napier, where Victor’s brothers Louis and Emile were also living.
Later Years
Victor died in Wellington in 1959.