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May 8, 1885
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Born at
Inverness Scotland
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Aug 19, 1915
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Attested into
the 21st Battalion at West Sandling Camp, England
Ø Number 60115
o Note that this is the last of the allotted numbers for the 21st
Battalion. It is also noteworthy that the
majority of the Battalion are numbered alphabetically, but Pte MacKenzie joined after the
numbers had been issued, hence he was assigned the last number, being the last man to
attest directly into the Battalion
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs Annie MacKenzie (mother) of Asylum Lodge,
Inverness Scotland
Ø Previous occupation given as Plasterer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Assigned to No 4 Company
o As a Piper, he was eventually assigned to the Pipe Band and utilized
as a stretcher bearer at the front
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St
Seiriol at Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked at
Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer
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Jan 7, 1917
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Granted 10 days
leave
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Jan 18, 1917
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At duty from
leave
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Jan 28, 1917
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Awarded the Good
Conduct Badge
This is normally awarded on the
second anniversary of service. There is
nothing in the file to indicate that Pte Mackenzie enlisted prior to August 19, 1915. It would seem this was awarded early for some
reason
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Nov 2, 1917 Awarded
the Military Medal per London Gazette #30364
Citation
reads
August 15th -
18th 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This man was one of
a carrying party to the front line on the night of the 17th, 18th August 1917. This
party becoming dispersed by an enemy barrage, he collected as many as possible of the men
and delivered bombs and rations to their destinations. On the return journey, he
together with another man, brought out a wounded comrade, with great difficulty.
This mans was badly wounded, and it was only the timely arrival at the dressing
station that saved his life. Pte McKenzie showed splendid courage and initiative and
severe shell fire
AFW 3121
28-8-17
Above is from the book Pipers of War, page 61
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Dec 19, 1917
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Granted 14 days
leave
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Jan 6, 1918
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At duty from
leave
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Jan 12, 1918
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Presented with
his Military Medal by Lieut General Sir Arthur Currie, KCB, KCMG, at Westrehem France
while on parade.
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Nov 30, 1918
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Granted 14 days
leave
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Dec 24, 1918
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Rejoined
battalion from leave
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Apr 3, 1919
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Embarked the SS
Western Australia at Havre and disembarked in England, proceeding to the Witley Camp.
TOS (Taken On
Strength) “P” Wing for processing pending return to Canada
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May 14, 1919
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Embarked the RMS
Caronia at Liverpool
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May 22, 1919
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Disembarked at
Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston Ontario
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May 24, 1919
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Discharged from
the CEF at Kingston Ontario
Ø War Service Badge Class “A” issued, number 279931
Ø Intended residence on discharge – Yorkton Saskatchewan
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Nov 23, 1921
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1914-15 Star,
British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to PO Box 44, Yorkton Saskatchewan
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May 16, 1960
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Deceased at
Yorkton Saskatchewan
From the August 1960 issue of The Communiqué,
the 21st Battalion Association post war newsletter
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The
Battalion’s War Diary has his name spelled in different places as both MacKenzie and
McKenzie. He is noted in the War Diary as
being an original member of the Battalion even though he did not Attest in Kingston with
the other originals. He attested in England
at the West Sandling Camp.
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