John Joseph O'Keeffe was born on 10 May 1871 in Dublin, Ireland, the son of John and Margaret O'Keeffe. He may well have been born on 10 May 1865. John married Catherine (Kate) Ryan on 22 September 1897 at St Michael's, Dun Laoghaire, Kingstown, Dublin, Ireland. Their daughter, Kathleen, was born on 22 September 1901 at Booterstown, Dublin, in Ireland. There was also a son, James or John Henry born on 10 September 1898 at Booterstown, and at home with his parents in 1901. In 1901 John and Kate were residing at Booterstown, Dublin, where John was an accountant. With them was John's mother Maragret. When john enlisted with the New Zealand forces, he was an accountant for the Shaw Savil Company at Timaru. John signed up on 6 January 1915 for the Samoan Relief Force Reinforcements. His next-of-kin was his wife Catherine, who at this time was living in Massachusetts, USA. Just 34 days later he was discharged as medically unfit, and his kit was returned. Biography provided by the Timaru Museum SCRoll project. AWMM