OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 64, 14 April 1944, Page 5

OBITUARY

miss eliza Mclennan

The death of Miss Eliza McLennan which occurred last Wednesday at the residence of her sister, Mrs M. A. Donaldson, of Victoria Avenue, has removed an interesting and widely respected lady whose, activities in the Old Country during and after the last war marked her as, one of the foremost workers in the interests of Scottish soldiers on leave in London, and also as a leader in social and cultural entertainments conducted on their behalf. Born at Elton, Aberdeenshire in Scotland, she joined the household of Lady Kintore of Inverure, and remained with her as companion for fourteen years. When Lady Kintore removed to London, Miss McLennan remained with her in her London home 'Oa-kleigh.' During the Great War on Lady Kintore's. death she became companion to Lady Beaucharnp, who was sister to the Duke of Westminster, and it was during this period that she was given a free hand to conduct a canteen near St. Columbus Church in the interests of Scottish soldiers home on leave from France. 'Major' as she was popularly known then did an immense work in this connection, meeting all the men of Highland regiments at Waterloo Station and taking them by the hundred to her canteen where they were given refreshments and the addresses of private homes, where they could visitas guests. She had in her possession many hundreds of letters of appreciation from the men she had thus befriended and possibly saved from the London underworld.

Some time after the Avar she travelled to Australia to visit her sister and brother who had settled there. She returned to the Old Country however where she lived in London until 1937, when she expressed a wish to come to New Zealand and stay with her sister in Whakatane. Arriving here ishe quickly adapted herself to the. new conditions; of life and made many friends. She was known for her unfailing cheerfulness and courtesy at all times while those lucky enough to find her in a reminiscent mood could be certain of a fascinating and interesting story of England as world war No. 1 knew her. Members of her family are as under: Mrs Mary Clark (Mackay, Queensland); Mrs Margaret A. Donaldson (Whakatane); Mr Findlay McLennan (Gure, Queensland); Farquhar McLennan (Gisborne) and Andrew McLennan (Perth, Western Australia).