David Keay was the son of William Robert amd Ellen Keay (nee Steele), of Herekino, Northland

His parents lived and farmed on the Herekino Harbour property called "Sedgley", a 1000 acres sheep farm.

David's father received letters from officers, friends, after the death of his son but unfortunately they have not survived. However, his father was a man of many letters and in these he noted that one officer praised his son for his intelligence and fearlessness (of course this must have been written of many thousands of NZ casualties).

One story that remains is how David was employed as a sniper on many occasions while in the trenches at Armentieres. He was an excellent marksman but one day, when about to fire on an enemy soldier, David's rifle stock was hit and shattered by a return bullet. He was not injured but the "little rifle was made useless".

Two brothers served in WW1, David Keay (26/831)] and William Keay (25717) both were killed.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives David Keay's parents as living at "Windridge", Glenfield. They moved there in the early 1920's.

Named incorrectly listed as David Sedgley Keay on the Herekino War Memorial AWMM