Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rae Laurence Mackenzie a grocer by profession enlisted in the Militia AASC on 22nd August 1940 at Carlton Victoria and was allotted service number V60967 and underwent 68 days training with 4 Dicision AASC at Balcolme, Victoria.

Rae Mackenzie is promoted to Temporary Sergeant on the 17th December 1941. After the Japanese attack on Darwin Mackenzie elecets to go to full time durties with the Militia and is transferred to Perth.

Upon arrival in Perth, McKenzie attends Number 5 Wheeled Course Driving & Maintenance instruction course, passing the course on the 15th May 1942. While still in Western Australia on the 17th July 1942, McKenzie enlists in the 2nd AIF at Guilford, Western Australia; volunteering for service at home or abroad and being allotted service number VX88351. After enlistment McKenzie is posted to Motor Transport Training unit in Western Australia for another course, before being shipped back to Balcombe School of Mechanization in Victoria, around October 1942 where he remians as an instructor until demobilised and dischared on 25th October 1945.

After working for the PMG as a linesman for 6 months Mackenzie applied to reenlist in Regular Army Special Reserve in mid-February 1946. On the 22nd May 1946 Mackenzie marches into 3 Australian Recruit Training Battalion for six weeks basic training at the age of 30 years, being allotted the service number NX502997.

On 1st July 1947 Mackenzie is re-alloted service number NP84774 as part of the Interim Army - regular Army Special Reserve with the rank of Temp S/Sgt. Mackenzie does one short tour of service at Kure Japan with the BCOF.

On the 10th August 1948 Mackenzie is issued an new service number 246174 and is told he is now part of the Interim Army - Regular Army Special Reserve (RASR). While attached to 16 Coy RAASAC in 1949 Mackenzie is given a Commendation by GOC Eastern Command for his work in flodd rescue work with DUKW vehicles.

In 1951 Mackenzie trasfers to the RAASC Centre at Puckapunyal and is awarded the nickname 'Little Sport'. On the 1st December 1953 Mackenzie is discharged from the RASR and enlisted in the ARA and allotted service number 2/8350. Mackenzie remains at the RAASC Centre until October 1957 when he is tranferred to HQ Southern Command and attached to Det 16 Coy RAASC at Sandringham, Victoria. The unit goes through evolution into 161 Amph Tpt Pl RAASC, and in 1959 becomes 41 Amph Tpt Pl a platoon of 16 Coy RAASC.

Mackenzie is engaged in assisting in training the army ANARE Detachments in Sept-Oct 1957, again in 1958 and also 1959.

In February 1960 Mackenzie is involved in the Rip Tragedy in support of 2 Cdo Coy, and is responsible for saving the lives of a number of participants.

September 1960 Rae Mackenzie is awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct award.

Mackenzie is promoted Temp WO1 in August 1963 and is discharged  on 24th July 1964 at own request due to ill health. Mackenzie passed away on 22 November 1964.

All material is sourced from Rae Laurence Mackenzie's service file.