"Trentham: A Marching Song" - Ernest Luks

Ernest, the youngest son of the late Renke and Elizabeth Luks, had trained as a Draughtsman and was also a talented musician. It was this talent that he is perhaps best known.

Ernest worked with the Lands and Survey Department before leaving for a personal tour of the Continent and England. On his return to New Zealand, he took up a position with the Railway Department in Wellington and when war broke out he enlisted to serve his country. Ernest was signed with the 19th Reinforcements and was based at Featherston Camp, where he became “a renowed organiser of concerts”. He married Miss Wendy Lonsdale, a talented performer at the Camp, just before the 19th left for the Front. This was understood to be the first soldier’s wedding held at the Featherston Camp. 

Throughout his active service he entertained troops on stage and wrote “Trentham: A Marching Song”, which became very popular with the New Zealand troops in England and France. Ernest was invalided home to New Zealand after three years of service and, in the years which followed, continued to perform, appearing professionally with his wife in musical sketches in Australia and New Zealand. He was described as “one of Auckland's cleverest performers in humorous songs and sketches”. 

Photo by Kath Kingswood

Sadly, he never really recovered from the effects of his war service and died at age 54, after a short illness. The funeral service at Waikumete was conducted by the Rev. Jasper Galder, an old school friend.

Ernest was survived by his wife and siblings.

Compiled by Kath Kingswood

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19360507.2.76

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19360502.2.231

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19360429.2.3