MACKENZIE, Alexander Kenneth
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | 1888, place not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Memorials: | Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club WW1 Pictorial Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Aug 1914: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Post WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked 1st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Sydney | |
| 20 Dec 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During operations he took command of the battalion. He handled his men with marked ability and courage. He was instrumental in organizing counter attacks which drove off the enemy after he had gained a temporary footing in our lines.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: 20 December 1917 | |
| 20 Nov 1919: | Honoured Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Service Order 'In the attack on Hargicourt and subsequent operations 18th-21st September, 1918, in command of a battalion he showed great skill and gallantry in preparing the attack and during the advance. His attack was in every way successful, and resulted in the capture of several hundred prisoners and some field guns. During the difficult period of holding the line he showed ability in disposing his troops, and his work was of the greatest value to the brigade during a delicate situation.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 129 Date: 20 November 1919 |
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published 2017, refer to pages 184/5 & 270. Prior to the war he ws a clerk of Bondi NSW. He enlisted 27th Aug 1914, aged 26 years. He served with the 1st Infantry Battalion, rising to the rank of Lt Colonel, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and a Military Cross during that service. He survived the war, departing the UK for home 3rd May 1919.
Submitted 8 March 2020 by Maxwell HILL
COLONEL MACKENZIE SUDDEN DEATH ON 20 NOV 1925
COLONEL MACKENZIE 1888-1925
SUDDEN DEATH LAST NIGHT
The death occurred suddenly last night at a private hospital, after a few days' illness of Colonel Alexander Kenneth Mackenzie, D.S.O., M.C., of Elm Lodge, Rose Bay, at the age of 37.
Colonel Mackenzie, who had a distinguished record, was born at Sydney, and was educated at the Sydney Grammar School.
Leaving school, he took up a grazing property at Kingsclan, Kingswood.
At the outbreak of war in 1914 he enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the A.I.F., and was promoted to a lieutenancy.
He served with his battalion at Gallipoli and France, and in 1918 was promoted to the position of lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Battalion.
His was the distinction of being the youngest lieutenant-colonel commanding an A.I.F. battalion.
While on active service he gained the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross (with bar), and was three times mentioned in despatches.
On his return in 1919, he again engaged in grazing, but later came to Sydney, and became an estate agent in Pitt Street.
He is survived by a widow nee Miss Pauline Hertzberg, of Brisbane, whom he married two years ago, and a small daughter.
The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Mackenzie, of Gaenloch, Bondi.
The funeral will leave his late resident for Waverley Cemetery at three o'clock this afternoon.
Source: COLONEL MACKENZIE (1925, November 21). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW , p. 4. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245052051
Submitted 23 January 2020 by Rozzy Menz
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