MCKENZIE, Richard
| Service Number: | 31 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry |
| Born: | Scotland, United Kingdom, 1873 |
| Home Town: | Bundaberg, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Well-sinker |
| Died: | Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, 22 September 1952, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Bundaberg General Cemetery, Queensland Plot: General - Section - RSS Grave No: B1051 |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 31, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 31, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 448 notes 1st QMI embarked 1 Nov 1899 aboard Cornwall arriving Cape Town 13 Dec 1899. | |
| 25 Aug 1900: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 31, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier, notes invalided due to sunstroke and leg injury returned to Australia aboard Persic arriving Brisbane 18 Aug 1900, discharged 25 Aug 1900. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
Note- his marriage and death registration with BDM Qld records his full name as Richard Somerville McKenzie.
When Richard McKenzie enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Private R. McKenzie, single, Albion Ville, Bundaberg. He was invalided from service with the 1st QMI returning to Brisbane where he was discharged 25 Aug 1900.
Richard Somerville McKenzie was born about 1873 in Scotland, a son to Evan McKenzie and Elizabeth Bonhill McKenzie (nee Somerville). He married Susannah Pope Thompson on 21 Jun 1901 at Bundaberg, Qld, and they had 4 children. At about 11 years of age he emigrated with his parents and siblings to Queensland and they settled in Bundaberg where he worked as a well-sinker. His obituary published in the Bundaberg News-Mail, 23 Sep 1952 is transcribed below.
Obituary: Mr. Richard McKenzie- Bundaberg News-Mail, 23 Sep 1952, p. 2.
Mr. Richard McKenzie, of Sharon, passed away in the Bundaberg General Hospital yesterday, aged 79 years. He was born in Scotland and came to Australia 68 years ago and settled in Bundaberg. He worked on grazing properties in the district and was a well sinker. He served in the Boer War and was a member of the African War Veterans' Association.
He was married at Bundaberg to Miss Susan Thompson. He is survived by his wife, a son, Alan, and two daughters, Ivy (Mrs. Tanner) and Olive (Mrs. Neill) Proserpine.
His funeral will take place from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Woongarra Street, tomorrow after a service commencing at 11 a.m. for interment in the Bundaberg General Cemetery.
F. C. Brown and Co. are the funeral directors.
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 451; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, Bk 1 p. 85).