Keith boards HMNZS Canterbury during its visit to Lyttelton

This month, we were delighted to see one of our cherished residents, Keith Williamson, featured in a New Zealand Defence Force publication. The story covered his visit to Lyttelton where he was welcomed aboard HMNZS Canterbury as a guest of honour, and recounted memories of his remarkable service during World War II.

The Canterbury carries a modern version of the Infantry Landing Craft, a vessel type that played a crucial role in Keith’s later wartime service, making the visit particularly meaningful.

Keith’s journey began far from the battlefields, as a young student at Otago University. But by 1941, at just 21 years old, he found himself in the midst of a world entirely different from the one he had known. His first assignment was aboard HMS Stork, under the command of the renowned U-boat hunter Captain Fredrick ‘Johnnie’ Walker. It was here that Keith experienced the harsh realities of war and training was quickly shown to be inadequate preparation for the true nature of battle.

One of the enduring lessons Keith recalls is the acceptance of fear. A Captain once advised him, “Don’t be afraid of being afraid,” a piece of wisdom that stayed with him throughout the war. Despite the dangers, there were moments of tranquility, where Vera Lynne’s songs played over the loudspeakers and the camaraderie of his fellow sailors offered comfort. Keith’s down-to-earth Kiwi nature shone through even in these trying times, earning him the fondness of his shipmates who often ensured he was looked after first.

As his responsibilities grew, Keith transitioned from delivering tea to commanding a Landing Craft Infantry – Large (LCI-L) ship. This role saw him overseeing the safe delivery of up to 200 soldiers to the battlefield—a task that weighed heavily on his shoulders. The gravity of his new position was constant, yet Keith approached it with the same quiet determination that has defined his life.

After the war, Keith returned to New Zealand, his transition from a naval officer back to civilian life marking another chapter in his extraordinary journey. He often reflects on those years with a sense of disbelief, as if asking himself, “Was it even really me?”

We are incredibly proud to have Keith as part of our community, and that many people are able to hear his story.

Read the NZDF story: https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/104-year-old-navy-veteran-reflects-on-wwii/.