Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Lt. Duncan Campbel Menzies, of the Black Watch Regiment, son of Councillor Duncan Menzies of Adelaide, is reported wounded and missing, believed died of wounds. Born at Clare, Lt. Menzies was awarded the 1939 Rhodes Scholarship at the age of 19.  It is believed that he was the youngest Rhodes Scholar to have been chosen in South Australia.  When war broke out he was at Oxford University, and he joined the Black Watch as a private.  He received his commission at an officers' school in Great Britain, and served in several overseas campaigns.  He was wounded at Tobruk before being transferred to India.

He had a brilliant career at the Universtiy of Adelaide.  He obtained the Bachelor of Laws degree there, and in 1940, he took the Bachelor of Arts degree at Oxford.  It was his intention, after completing his course at Oxford to join his father in the legal profession until he became well established, and then to devote his energies to public life, with a view to entering Parliament.

He played A grade lacross for the Adelaide University for two years, and in two inter-University lacrosse games against Melbourne.  While at St. Peter's College he played lacross, football and crick and engaged in rifle shooting.

A sister, Sister Ellen Menzies, has been nursing in the Middle East for about three years.  His brother Ross in in the RAAF.

Action for which recommended for Military Cross-
Operations in Burma, February - May 1943

Lieut. MENZIES was Adjutant of No. 5 Column. At the cutting of the railway at and south of BONCHAUNG on 6th March 1943, he was in charge of the main demolition at BONCHAUNG railway station for the first hour of the work, while his Column Commander was involved in a skirmish elsewhere. Owing to enemy activity, he had had to lead the Column by a difficult route across mountains, a journey accomplished in a very short space of time.

At HINTHA on 28th March 43, he remained for half an hour in an exposed position by himself, keeping the enemy off with grenades and calling back with accurate information about their movements with a fine disregard of danger.

Throughout the campaign he set a high example of efficiency, cheerfulness and devotion to duty. Of great physical powers of endurance his energy never flagged; and at the end of the most trying march he was tireless and possessed of extraordinary reserves of strength. He was easily the most skilful jungle navigator in the Column, which he would lead for hours without relief cutting a track as he went. Utterly fearless in action and an unbending disciplinarian who exacted his own high standards from everybody, he commanded the confidence and affection of every man in the column.

(Since killed in action 04.04.1943)

Recommended By
Major B.E. Fergusson, D.S.O., The Black Watch
Column Commander, 77th Indian Infantry Brigade

Honour or Reward
Military Cross

Signed By
O.C. Wingate Brig.
Comdr. 77th Ind. Inf. Bde.

(London Gazette 16.12.1943)

Below is a transcription of his MC citation, taken from the original recommendation certificate held at the National Archives, Kew, London.

Lieut. MENZIES was Adjutant of No. 5 Column. At the cutting of the railway at and south of BONCHAUNG on 6th March 1943, he was in charge of the main demolition at BONCHAUNG railway station for the first hour of the work, while his Column Commander was involved in a skirmish elsewhere. Owing to enemy activity, he had had to lead the Column by a difficult route across mountains, a journey accomplished in a very short space of time. 

At HINTHA on 28th March 43, he remained for half an hour in an exposed position by himself, keeping the enemy off with grenades and calling back with accurate information about their movements with a fine disregard of danger. 

Throughout the campaign he set a high example of efficiency, cheerfulness and devotion to duty. Of great physical powers of endurance his energy never flagged; and at the end of the most trying march he was tireless and possessed of extraordinary reserves of strength. He was easily the most skilful jungle navigator in the Column, which he would lead for hours without relief cutting a track as he went. Utterly fearless in action and an unbending disciplinarian who exacted his own high standards from everybody, he commanded the confidence and affection of every man in the column. He has since been killed in action on 04.04.1943.

Recommended By
Major B.E. Fergusson, D.S.O., The Black Watch
Column Commander
77th Indian Infantry Brigade.

A very detailed biography of Duncan Menzies is to be found at

https://www.chinditslongcloth1943.com/duncan-campbell-menzies.html

This site tells the story of his life and ultimate fate at the hands of the Japanese in Burma in 1943. There are a number of photos also on the site.