Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"THE LATE PRIVATE A. F. McKENZIE.

Private A. F. McKenzie, of the 5th Reinforcements, 16th Battalion, was killed in action on July 24 at the Dardanelles. He was the youngest son of Mrs. McKenzie and the late Mr. Henry McKenzie, of Muller-street, Norwood. Prior to enlisting in January he was a porter at Ovingham station. He spent his 19th birthday at the Mitcham camp, and was liked and respected by all who knew him. Much sympathy has been shown to his relatives in their bereavement." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 25 Sep 1915 (nla.gov.au)

Archibald Frank McKenzie was born on the 15th of March 1896 in Adelaide, South Australia. Before he enlisted on the 21st of January 1915 he was a porter working in his hometown Norwood, South Australia, Australia. He enlisted in the 16th Battalion, 5th reinforcement, Australian Imperial Forces at only 18 years and 10 months old. He was 5 feet, with grey eyes and fair hair. His family consisted of 9 siblings and his mother named Mrs. Grace McKenzie was next of kin. His family all supported the religion Methodist.

As he embarked his journey to Gallipoli, being only 19 his relationship status was single. His service number was 1930 and he embarked from Adelaide on the HMAT (His Majesty’s Australian Transports) A20 Hororata on the 20th April 1915 to Gallipoli. Soldiers from the 16th Battalion were made up of young men from all over Australia. HMAT A20 Hororata set off on the 20th of April and passed through Western Australia to pick up the remainder of the 16th Battalion on the 26th of April.

He was ranked Private (Pte) in the 16th Battalion, the lowest military rank. A Private’s job was none other than following orders by the officers. Some of their other jobs ranged from preparing food and digging trenches.

There are not many sources stating Archibald Frank McKenzie’s experience in war. It is not known if he wrote a diary, leaving most of the information of what he experienced at Gallipoli empty.

Private Archibald Frank McKenzie was killed in action at the Dardanelles on the 24th of July 1915, aged 19. McKenzie died very shortly after he entered into the war, however his service was a great deal to the Australian Imperial Forces. He received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal reflecting on McKenzie’s large ANZAC spirit.

His body was buried in the Beach Cemetery, Turkey, Gallipoli along with over 391 servicemen of WWI at the Southern point of ANZAC Cove. This cemetery was used from the day of the landing at ANZAC, till evacuation. The registration documents on each cemetery contain details of their rank regiment, unit and date of death, service number and are listed in row and grave order. McKenzie, Pte. Archibald Frank, 1930. 16th Bn. Australian Inf. Killed in action 24th July 1915. II. C. 6.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Amy Corps. Qualities of being an ANZAC meant to have courage, discipline, initiative, companionship and endurance. It was formed in 1915, World War 1 in Egypt, operating during the battle of Gallipoli. The Australian and New Zealanders were sent to Egypt to be trained on the Gallipoli battlefield. On the 25th of April 1915 the Australian and New Zealand soldiers set out with a formed alliance to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. They are known as the ANZAC’s. Every ANZAC was very courageous and although our troops failed the Gallipoli campaign, our soldiers left us all a strong mark and legacy at Gallipoli. Archibald Frank McKenzie was only 19 when he left for Gallipoli, along with many other young men. These courageous young men signed up to help make their families proud, for a new and exciting experience, or perhaps to just get out of their town. Whatever their intention to sign up was, they all made Australia and New Zealand proud and fought for their country. Archibald Frank McKenzie died nobly for his country. Future generations will look up to him and be inspired by his bravery and sacrifice for his country. At such a young age with so much life ahead of him, he gave it all up for our freedom today.