NOTED "DIGGER"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 120, 23 May 1945, Page 5

NOTED "DIGGER"

Sudden Death In Sydney Of "Ernie" McKinlay DIVISIONAL CONCERT PARTY R'ec: -noon* ;■"' SYDNEY,. this day. Ernest McKinlay; the New Zea-land-born .singer, collapsed and died on a city street last night. Known as "the silver tenor," he was 56. He was a world authority on Maori scngs, many of which he recorded. He wrote and r,ang "Kia Ora Katoa" ("Good Luck to All"). After the last war,, in which he was badly gassed, he joined the Kiwi Concert Party and later made two world tours with the Westminster Glee Singers. He appeared • seven times at, Buckingham Palace....' ' ~*; . • For the last 15 years he has lived in Sydney..- : :•■:-■ / ■■"■• - : ■■ '■■■■■■ •'•'.'•"

"Ernie" McKinlay was one of the leading personalities in the Divisional Entertainment Party of the N.Z.E.F. iri the last war. Colonel J. Hardie Neil, who commanded the 3rd Field Ambulance, of which Sergeant McKinlay was a member, I was deeply touched on hearing the news of his sudden death this morning. He stated that Sergeant McKinlay was one of the finest personalities that the entertainment stage had produced in the last war. First as leader of the Divisional Orchestra, and later- as its leading tenor, his • skill and artistry reached a very high standard. He went through the whole of the campaign in France, and then went on a tour to the Middle East. His interpretation of Maori songs was masterful, and would .live long in the memory of those who heard them. Mr. lUcKinlay some years ago wrote a book, "The Story of • a Singing Kiwi," which was a highly interesting and notable narrative of the Kiwi Party's tours. He came originally from Dunedin.'