Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert McKenzie (Mick) was born in Minlaton, a small country town on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia which is surrounded by sheep and wheat farms. Today it boasts the magnificently preserved World War I ‘Red Devil’ monoplane flown by ace pilot, Captain Harry Butler.
Albert or Mick as he commonly became known, was just 4 years old when he had his first brush with an adventure of sorts but which could have had fatal consequences. Travelling from Minlaton with his family, their car, as a result of a motor defect, crashed into a tree with all involved sustaining a range of injuries. They were able to stay overnight at Arthurton before being returned home by Bert McKenzie. Several years later as a 14 year old Mick and his mother were again involved in a car accident in which a young 18 year old, Harold George was killed when a car overturned on the still notorious Port Wakefield Road. Mick’s mother spent time in the Wakefield Hospital. It certainly was a lucky escape and that luck remained with Mick through his later service in the 2/48th Battalion as a Rat of Tobruk.
Visits by Father Christmas are always a highlight for young children so when Mick was a member of the Methodist Kindergarten, he was one who sang and played games to music before fishing in a fairy well to hook a brown paper fish in which was a brightly coloured paper cap for the children to wear. Mick was then one of two children who gave a recitation before the children and their parents had tea. A telegram the arrived announcing that Father Christmas would sent the postman at 5:30pm. This visit was met with delight and a present for each child! As was also usual in those times, Mick’s Minlaton School awarded a prize at each grade level for the highest achieving student. As a 7 year old in Grade II the young Albert was awarded Dux of his year and Top of Examinations. Again as an 8 year old during Education week, Mick was part of a combined Church parade where the well behaved children were marched into the morning service that opened the week. The message was similar to today with the chairman of the school, Mr Roberts, mentioned the constantly growing need for a good education in splendid facilities that offered each child “to get the utmost in brain culture”. The obligatory inspection of children’s class work was displayed on desks and walls enabling visitors to “compare the methods and work of to-day with that of an older generation, and each parent could see how their own child's work compared with that of other children”. Later in the week Mick won the Grade 3 running race and with his partner K. Butler won the boys Three Legged Race for Grades 1,2,3 and 4. While ineligible to be involved, it was fascinating that children in grades above 3 were invited to take part in a pig race (were the animal was donated). In the first heat 5 children managed to grab part of the pig then in the final just one student caught the pig and was named proud winner and possessor of the animal. Quite different attitudes and competition to today’s Sports Days! Part of the week was also to present the Visiting Director of Education with a proposal from the local parents of the urgent need for higher educational facilities on Central Yorke Peninsula as students could only complete Primary schooling. By the time he was 15, Mick’s schoolwork was still being recognised by exhibition at the Minlaton Show opened by the then Governor and Lady Dugan.
As a 16 year old in 1934 Mick was one of the McKenzie clan who played his cornet with the others on clarinet and tenor horn at the Minlaton Methodist Sunday School anniversary.
Coincidentally Harry Searle who was the same age as Mick, also attended the Minlaton School and the lives of the two were to become closely intertwined as young men who served Australia in the Middle East.
In the relatively peaceful era of the 1930’s Mick attended several ‘Coming of Age’ celebrations, including that of Marjorie Sheppard of Warooka in the ballroom of ‘Barokee’ Homestead where multi-coloured hollyhocks and matching streamers were lit by special lights to create a fairyland atmosphere. At this time Mick’s musical talents were also gaining public acclaim with his performance on the tenor horn which was part of a trio celebrating the Methodist Sunday School anniversary. Mick also was a confident speaker in his farewell to Mr and Mrs Grivell who were leaving the district to reside at Gladstone. He represented the Yorketown Christian Endeavour Society, one of several groups who spoke in appreciation of the work the couple had done.
In typical country fashion, in 1937 locals designed and raised the money to construct a Bandstand at Minlaton. The McKenzie family had been connected with the Minlaton Brass Band for many years and 16 year old Jock McKenzie had drawn up the design plans. Members of the band made many concrete blocks each Saturday afternoon as part of the preliminary work for the bandstand. The band completed their involvement with a wide selection of popular tunes. In the ensuing years the town continued to raise funds for their Brass Band with a series of dances. At one, Mick was one of four young people who won a competition I during the dance.
Three years later in June of 1940, Mick celebrated his Coming of Age with a dinner for family and friends, which was followed by a beautifully decorated cake and speeches then typical musical evening and games. However war had arrived. On the 6th July 1940 Mick officially enlisted at Wayville which, under usual circumstances, was the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Their early training was held in the Motor Pavilion. It was either coincidence or design that two other young men enlisted on the same day. The closeness of their enlistment numbers may have been the initial contributing factor to their friendship (Mick was SX8138, Bryan Holmes was SX8133 and Harry Searle was SX 8143) but all were essentially young men from similar country backgrounds. Mick and Harry were from Minlaton and Bryan was raised at Peterborough but was working at Minnipa.) Training for the young soldiers at this stage was also at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills where the men became exceptionally proficient using their 303’s.
This group of new enlistees were on Pre-Embarkation leave from the 22nd of October to the 1st of November 1940. Mick’s mother travelled to Adelaide to stay with Private McKenzie who was on leave as a bandsman with the 2/48th Battalion. It was not until this group of fairly raw recruits left on the 19th of November on the ship Stratheden to eventually arrive in Egypt that they officially became part of the 2/48th Battalion and the 9th Division; ultimately becoming one of the now highly respected Rats of Tobruk. These friends served in Tobruk, Palestine and Syria. By August of 1942 Mick’s family were informed that he had been wounded in action but he was able to return to duty soon after. However in the vicious fighting during October 1942 in Western Egypt, his friend Harry Searle was killed in action.
Harry’s death deeply affected his fellow soldiers. In a heartfelt tribute which reflects both the respect for Harry and the camaraderie within the 2/48th, the men learnt of a gift Harry had planned to give to his new wife, Beryl. They all contributed to the purchase of the remaining exquisite antique pendant and ring from a Jerusalem jeweller whom Harry had chosen. These pieces were designed to complete a unique and valuable set of antique jewellery comprising pearls, opals and turquoise. While the Battalion was next on leave in Australia in 1943, Beryl had been invited to stay with Private Casey’s parents at Hilton for the weekend. The platoon chose Private Casey to make the presentation of these last pieces of jewellery to Beryl with a ‘fine letter from the men’ and additional money to ‘obtain a suitable memento’. This typically thoughtful gesture was especially appreciated by Beryl and was reported in the Angaston Leader in March, 1943.
Over the next tumultuous year Mick returned home to Minlaton from the Middle East in April the again in September, 1943 prior to returning to camp. On the Anniversary of Harry’s death, Bryan Holmes and Mick continued to remember their friend, being one of several who inserted a tribute to Harry in The Advertiser;
HEROES OF THE EMPIRE
SEARLE. Harry.—A tribute to our sincere pal who left us for higher service at El Alamein. Oct. 25-26, 1942. Whatever we fail to do in time we will never forget you. pal a' mine. —Inserted by Bryan Holmes, Mick McKenzie. N.G.
With the War coming to a close, Mick had a final leave with his family in March 1944. He was discharged and returned home to Minlaton, an event celebrated by his family and community in May 1945. With peace declared Mick became an active member of the Central Yorke Peninsula Sub-Branch of the RSL. At a Diggers’ Ball in August of 1945 funds were raised for the Relief Fund. The stage was decorated with pink and orange Iceland Poppies and blue gum highlighted with coloured lighting. There was a massive four sittings of 150 people who were waited on by returned servicemen and Toc H members. Sargent Mick’s musical ability again came to prominence as he announced each sitting with the ‘Cookhouse’ bugle call. The poignant Pledge of Remembrance ‘They shall grow not old, We will remember them’ was respectfully delivered.
As more service men and women were discharged and returned to their hometowns, their communities continued to both celebrate and remember those who served. Just two months later, the District Council coordinated a Welcome Home Ball at the Town Hall. Those who served were thanked for their outstanding contributions to Australia and were welcomed back home and to civilian life. President of the Returned Soldiers’ League, Mr Wauchope also added his welcome but also led a two minute silent reflection for those who will not come home again. Each of those who had served were accorded musical honours and a personal anecdote. Mick was one of fifteen who were so honoured.
Mick continued to offer his musical talents when he combined his cornet playing with Ralph Farrant on the piano and Eley on Drums at the October Minlaton Show Dance that same year. This core group was joined by another three musicians at the annual Yorke Peninsula Agricultural Show Social in November. The next month, Mick was again welcoming home another group of discharged service men and women but as conductor of the Minlaton Band. Not only were there a number of the old members of the band, but also several new recruits. A delightfully personal tribute was sung about each of those who were returning. One mentioned that he was pleased and slightly surprised to be home and all seemed quietly thankful.
In December of 1946 with all personnel returned to their homes a banquet was held for the returned soldiers, almost 100 in all. The Minlaton Council, Minlaton Institute and Fathers’ Association hosted the event in the Town Hall to celebrate the Allied Victory. Those who had served in the First War of 1914/18 commented that they were outnumbered by those who had so recently served their country. Again, Mick sounded the Last Post as well as providing a musical item later in the evening.
It was not surprising that after a visit to Brisbane in March of 1946, Mick was soon celebrating his wedding to Cavell Daniell at St Paul’s Church in Brisbane East. This was followed by a reception held in the Bulimba School of Arts for over 40 guests.
Mick was hospitalised at the Keswick Facility in October of 46 but was reported to be progressing favourably.
In the ensuing years, Mick continued to be actively involved in the Anzac Memorial Services and Services of Remembrance where he sounded both the Last Post and Reveille as well as being a welcome musician at RSL events. His band was comprised of Mick on the cornet, Phil Anderson on guitar, Reg Cook the piano accordion and Stan Barrett as the accompanist.
By 1950 Mick and Cavell had taken up the offer of land on Kangaroo Island as part of a soldier settlement scheme. Mr Tonkin, Chairman of the Minlaton Community Centre farewelled the couple, presenting them with a handsome tray as a reminder of the town and their friends there. The RSL also thanked Mick for his generous musical assistance which would be especially missed. Almost three years later representatives of the Minlaton Council visited Kangaroo Island to see how the experiment was progressing. They were suitably impressed with the work already undertaken, which included clearing of virgin scrub clearing, through logging operations, ploughing and twin disc working, to pasture provision.. Several settlement three-bedroom homes with all conveniences, including Mick’s at Parndana, were inspected by the party.
Tribute submitted by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133